{Chapter Seven}
They passed under an arched doorway into a black and empty space. Siladhiel smiles in memory as Gandalf using his staff to light the city. The group gasps as Siladhiel smiles in memory of the city. A vast roof, far above their heads, upheld by many mighty pillars hewn of stone. Before them stretches a huge empty hall, with black walls, polished and smooth as glass.
"Behold! The great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf!" Gandalf whispers
"Well, there's an eye opener and no mistake!" Sam states in awe looking around as Gimli rushes ahead through a busted wooden door
"Gimli!" Siladhiel states following him quickly through the empty chamber stopping seeing Gimli sobbing on his knees near a stone coffen
"Here lies Balin, son of Fudin, Lord of Moria." He is dead, then. It's as I had feared." Gandalf says reading the inscription from the stone before reaching for a book covered in blood
"We must move on, we cannot linger." Legolas whispers urgently to Aragorn and Siladhiel frowned in agreement
"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 saves us? They are coming." Gandalf reads from the cracked page at the end of the book
Siladhiel watches as Pippin backs up stumbling against the well and in horror causing a skeleton head to fall down the well. Complete silence takes over everyone as the sound of the skull falling echoes through the area. Gandalf turns towards a frightened Pippin
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" Gandalf says in anger causing Siladhiel to place herself between them staring Gandalf down
"What's done cannot be undone, they come" Siladhiel says seriously being turning her eyes in the direction a low rolling boom is being hear and growing louder then comes a horn that causes the hobbits to flinch before the fellowship readies for battle at the sound of cries and running
"Frodo" Sam says worriedly looking at the sword glowing blue on Frodo's belt causing Frodo to take out the blade
"Orcs" Legolas whispers readying his bow for the attack
"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf." Aragorn directs the hobbits as Siladhiel jumps up on a ledge gaining height and clear view of the door while Boromir and Aragorn begin shutting the doors
"They have a cave troll!" Boromir says in shock as Gimli snatches up two rusty dwarf axes and leaps onto the tomb.
"Let them come! There is one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!" Gimli shouts causing Siladhiel to blink
"I am not sure if that was brave or stupid" She whispers in amusement catching the other's attention "Most likely both"
Siladhiel snaps into action with the others as the Door bursts open in a shower of wood fragments, and 20 Goblins charge into the tomb, followed by a huge cave troll! Gimli ducks a blow and immediately buries his Axes in 2 Goblin helmets. Aragorn and Boromir wade into the mass of Goblins with their swords. Legolas and Siladhiel fire deadly arrows into Goblin throats, desperately trying to Shield the Hobbits!
Gandalf is clutching his sword and joins in the battle. The cave troll is sweeping his club at Aragorn who stumbles backwards. Siladhiel watches the huge club descends for the killing blow and fights her way towards him when Boromir's sword slices into the troll's Scaly arm causing it rears back. Siladhiel almost gags at the sight of the spewing green blood. She turns her head away to see Sam is backing up against a wall with a sword in one hand and a saucepan in the other. In desperation he swings wildly at a Goblin with a saucepan causing her much amusement as it keels over and laughs loudly as he takes out another one with the saucepan gaining attention of the others.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this." Sam says happily as the Siladhiel kills another orc just as Frodo screams for Aragorn
Sam screams as Frodo is lifted off his feet and slammed into the wall with a spear tip in his chest causing the others to scream out his name. Chaos erupts as each member tries to find their way to him as the hobbits jump on the troll. Legolas shoots out an arrow dropping the troll to the ground dead as Siladhiel and Aragorn drop to their knees beside him. Siladhiel screams in sadness cradling him as he coughs taking a huge breath shocking the group to their core.
"He's alive!" Sam says in shock
"I'm alright. I'm not hurt" Frodo gasps out sitting up looking at Siladhiel and Aragorn
"You should be dead. That spear would've skewered a wild boar!" Aragorn said in awe as Siladhiel attempted to calm her racing heart
"I think there's more to this hobbit than meets the eye." Gandalf stated as Frodo opened his shirt revealing Mithril Vest he had been wearing that protected him
"Now is not the time" Siladhiel said seriously hearing drums again and rushed Frodo to his feet
"To the bridge of Khazad-dum!" Gandalf directed seriously and Siladhiel followed glancing back in the direction of the drums feeling Legolas at her side
They ran as quickly as they could after Gandalf into the huge Dwarrowdelf Chamber as Goblins start scuttling down the Pillars behind them. Siladhiel frowns at the sight of the Goblin army rushing towards them that suddenly stops. She turns quickly in the direction that a deafening roar was hear loud enough to frighten everyone. Siladhiel swallows down the fear in realization as Boromir questions the creature as the ground begins to shake and a low rumble is heard.
"A Balrog" Siladhiel whispers feeling choked at the sight of the flames in the distance
"A demon of the ancient world! This foe is beyond any of you! Run! Quickly!" Gandalf directs as Siladhiel halls the Hobbits forward to get as far away from the darkness as possible
Siladhiel glanced back seeing the massive creature rise from a chasm. She felt her heart beating faster then she remembered possible at the 40 foot monster with flames. She feels sick to her stomach as she follows next to Gandalf who is being supported by his staff. She glances at him in concern along with Aragorn.
"Lead them on, the bridge is near" Gandalf directs seriously causing them to pause "Do as I say; swords are no more use here."
Aragorn nods before leading the others down the stairwell as Siladhiel pauses briefly placing a hand on Gandalf's shoulder. She sees Aragorn toss Gimli across the gap on the stairwell with some dismay from the dwarf that causing her to smile. She panics seeing the crumbling stairwell with Frodo and Aragorn attempting to get off. Without thinking she bolts forward throwing her weight as she jumps wrapping her arms around them and using the force to gain the distance of the gap. She spins them slightly gasping in pain she hits the ground sheltering them from the hit.
"You have my thanks" Aragorn said seriously helping her up noticing her wince "Are you well?"
She nodded flinching as the Balrog smashes through the wall and spreads its wings. She blinks as it flies down disappearing into the pit much to her surprise.
"Over the bridge! Fly!" Gandalf yells causing the others to move forward across the bridge
Siladhiel pauses seeing Gandalf stop in the middle of the bridge. He turns to her offering a smile she had only seen once, on a man that knew what was coming. She chokes back a sob as he shoved her forward touching her shoulder softly and whispering in her ear. She continues hearing Gandalf begin to comfront the Balrog and Frodo's voice ringing out.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun." Gandalf's firm voice rings out and she stumbles feeling like she had been shot in the chest with an arrow
She drops to the ground shaking in grief knowing what was about to happen. She feels it in her bones and to the core of who she is as she glances back seeing the Balrog at full height before Gandalf.
"Go back to the shadow!" Gandalf yells as a sword of flames slashes at him and the clash before the sword of flames shatters under Gandalf's weapon "You shall not pass!"
The Balrog moves to place a foot on the bridge as Aragorn and Boromir move to assist. Gandalf screams slamming his staff onto the bridge blinding them with a white light as the staff and bridge before Gandalf shatters causing the Balrog to fall into the vast darkness. Siladhiel begins to race forward in relief feeling overwhelmed with happiness as Gandalf turns before a scream was heard with brokenness as Gandalf is grabbed and pulled from the bridge. She stumbles under shock of the sight and looks to see Gandalf heart breaking at the look in his eyes.
"Fly, you fool!" Gandalf directs seriously before letting go of the ledge and Siladhiel feels her control break.
She feels arms pulling her away as she screams at her nails clawing at the arm leading her away from helping him. She is pulled after the fellowship out of the Great Eastern Gate on to a grassy sunlit hillside. Sam, Merry, and Pippin fall slowly to the ground sobbing as Siladhiel had managed to become eerily quiet.
"Legolas, get them up!" Aragorn directs Legolas and Gimli before glancing at Siladhiel as she clenching her fist tightly
"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" Boromir pleads motioning to the hobbits as Siladhiel placing a hand on his shoulder looking at Aragorn in understanding
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up. On your feet, Sam." Siladhiel states before glancing at Frodo "Aragorn"
Aragorn nods before going to Frodo causing him to turn with shock written on his face. Aragorn offers quiet support for the hobbit as Siladhiel moves to lead the fellowship on the fimilar path towards her old friends. She shakes in grief and begins to get lost to her memories as the others see the forest in the distance, they had made it to the forests of Lothlorien.
"Stay close, young hobbits. They say a Sorceress lives in these woods. An elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell and are never seen again" Gimli whispers surrounded by forests as Legolas approaches a very pale Siladhiel
"Are you well?" Legolas questions Siladhiel worriedly placing a hand on her shoulder frowning feeling her shaking
"I don't know" She answers in a whisper pulling her cloak around her tightly feeling cold set in her bones
She tenses as she noticed they are surrounded be armed elves with arrows aides at their heads. She feels her vision blur as she recognizes Haldir step forward. She tries to focus on their voices she tries to stay upright. Haldir glances as her in concern hiding his shock upon recognizing her quickly before leading them on their way with him standing at her side glancing at her in concern.
She stays in the back with her head down as the come upon Celeborn ready to greet them. She ignores the conversation feeling weak as she drains her energy fighting off Galadriel's attempts to get in her mind on top of her grief. She listens as she tells them to rest before Celeborn steps forward and she could feel her eyes on her. Feeling tired and weary she drops her guard looking at them for the first time since her arrival with tears in her arms. Celeborn moves forward quickly wrapping his arms around her as Galadriel smiles softly. The fellowship looks on confused.
"Long has it been my dear Siladhiel" She says as shock rings through the group recognizing the name "You heart holds much grief, perhaps rest will do you well"
"I shall stay with the fellowship" she whispers pulling back and allowing a small smile at Celeborn "You shall always be that steady shoulder in my storms"
"Always" Celeborn says softly echoing a promise made so long ago before Siladhiel embracing Galadriel
"It brings me such happiness to see you again, even under this darkness" Galadriel whispers hugging her tightly
"We shall make time to discuss after my soul has lightened" She vows calmly before following after the fellowship ignoring the questioning looks
Once they make it to the pavilion Siladhiel feels all strength leave her body. She sees the stern look from Legolas to the others to leave their questions and turns towards her in concern. She relaxes before walking up to her knowing what she really wanted, needing a comfort he could only provide.
"I know you wish for answers, but I seek comfort. I want…" She falters not knowing how to ask, she never was one to ever let her guard down fully
Legolas smiles brightly moving forward quickly pulling her close feeling her body melt into his allowing all her guards to come down. She feels him pick her up into his arms and move to sit allowing his body to shelter her from the world. He hums softly into her ear as she allows darkness to take her. She can feel her there guarding her through the night even as the darkness of the past turns in her mind drawing her deeper into the abyss.
Legolas smiles softly looking down at the sleeping figure in his arms. He had been just as surprised as the others when he heard her name, she was a queen. In all honestly, he should have realized it sooner. All the signs were there and waiting to be put together. He had heard the rumors and many stories of the High queen, so similar to the light and fierceness of the elleth that traveled with them for months. He had seen a look that only came from war and tragedy, no greater tragedy was known then that of the High Queen of Lindon. He knew why she was so resistant to embrace him wholeheartedly as he had long since longed to do.
"She hid from her name long ago" Aragorn whispers appearing at his side gaining his and the others attention
"You knew?" Legolas questioned in shock
"Yes, Gandalf and I were both aware of her identity" Aragorn explained "I was not aware when I first met her, my mother knew her by her true name and when I was made aware of my linage. She told me the truth and spoke with me about it"
"Why did she hide it?" Gimli questioned seriously "Most would be all about their titles"
"She didn't want the titles the way she received them, it was a reminder of the past she wished to escape. We all know the story of the Queen of Lindon. No one suffered a greater lost then her in this battle" Aragorn says softly looking at Frodo "Her fate has long been tied to the Ring, she made it her purpose to see it destroy to ensure that those she lost hadn't died in vain"
"I can't imagine" Frodo said in realization, he dealt with it for months, but she had shouldered it alone for centuries
"My father spoke of that battle, she shined in a way that rivaled the sun and moon. I knew that she had seen darkness and struggled, but I did not know the extent" Legolas whispered looking down at the elf in awe "To still hold the light and will after the darkness she has faced is truly unlike anyone I have ever known"
"She doesn't talk about it, long have I tried to get her to speak about her past, but she turns her shoulder to her past" Aragorn said softly looking at Siladhiel "As far as I am aware, she has spoken to no one about it and holds it to herself. I have never seen her seek comfort as she had with you"
"She holds all I am and all I have to offer for all my days and beyond" Legolas says honestly causing the others to smile knowingly
"I haven't known the lass long, but I see in you eyes you want to protect her, do not attempt to hold her back Prince or yee shall lose her forever" Gimli says seriously and protectively gaining a quiet chuckle from the others as Legolas frowns
"I dare not attempt to do so" He said honestly and knowing she was more than capable of protecting herself, the past has shown she would be able to do so "I shall choose to stand at her side"
"Wise choice" Boromir said with a smirk before shaking his head in amusement "I doubt anyone would be able to keep her from anything she wished to do"
The others smiled in amusement allowing themselves to enjoy the moment of peace. Each one went to rest for the evening with Legolas relishing in the feeling of holding his world in his arms. He worried about the darkness that had grasp her in such a way. He could feel her shivering in his arms and knew that coldness had made its way into her bones. He prayed that she would defeat it or hold on until the completion of their journey.