I don't own Lord of the Rings. I only own Edleneth and any other characters I make up along the way, as well as the twists I put into the basic story.
As the Fellowship followed Gandalf down a dark tunnel, Edleneth stayed alert, She doubted she would die simply from falling off one of the bridges, but she nevertheless kept to this middle when they crossed one She was expecting to go down with a fight. Eventually, they reached a great cavern.
"Let me risk a little more light," Gandalf murmured. As he lit up the room with his staff, the Fellowship saw beautiful carved pillars that reached to the ceiling, which was barely visible.
"There's an eye opener, and no mistake," Sam breathed. Edleneth looked at him, and reluctantly admitted to herself that the dwarven architecture was impressive.
Gimli ran into another room with a wail. The others followed him, and saw a great marble tomb. Skeletons were lying everywhere, but the dwarf fell to his knees regardless, and moaned.
Gandalf approached the tomb and brushed off the dust. "Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria," he read, "He is dead then. It is as I feared." He pulled a book from a skeleton's grasp and read its pages as well. "They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. We cannot get out. They are coming."
A loud clattering startled the Fellowship, and they all turned to face Pippin. He smiled awkwardly as a skeleton he had knocked over fell down the well he was standing next to. "Fool of a Took!" Gandalf shouted, Next time throw yourself in and rid us of our stupidity!"
Drums began to beat, becoming louder and faster. Shrieks accompanied them, and Frodo unsheathed his sword, which was glowing blue. "Orcs!" Legolas exclaimed.
Stay close to Gandalf!" Aragorn ordered, ans rushed to the door, which Boromir was closing.
"They have a cave troll," he informed them.
Edleneth and Legolas began handing weapons to Aragorn and Boromir, who barred the door with them. Gandalf prepared his sword, and the hobbits huddled behind him, drawing their small swords.
Gimli stood on Balin's tomb. "Let them come," he growled, "There is one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws breath!"
Edleneth smiled at him despite of herself. He was a very brave dwarf. She drew her sword, opting for close combat. The doors began to break, with orc hands reaching through the holes they created. Legolas and Aragorn fired arrows at the hands, but it was not enough to stop the orcs from bursting through the demolished doors and swarming into the room.
Gandalf, Gimli, and the hobbits launched into battle and Edleneth slashed orcs that came into her path When the troll entered the room, roaring madly, she stared. It headed towards the hobbits, and Edleneth shook herself, charging at it. She swung her sword into its leg. The only effect her attack caused was making the troll turn towards her. The hobbits scuttled away and began stabbing the orcs that tried to attack them.
Focusing on the troll in front of her, Edleneth gulped. She adjusted her egrip on her sword and attempted to tip it out of its leg. Unfortunately, it was hopelessly stuck. Growling, the troll shook his leg, and Edleneth went flying. She slammed into a wall, and as she recovered, the troll went after Frodo. It grabbed hold of Frodo's legs and dragged him across the room.
"Aragorn!" the hobbit called frantically.
Aragorn looked up and ran towards the troll fearlessly. He thrust a pear into its chest, which wounded the troll. It cried out and swing back and forth until Aragorn lost his grip and crashed into a wall. He fell unconscious and both Edleneth and Frodo ran towards him, trying to rouse him. The troll raised a spear above his head and threw it at Frodo, who dodged.
As the troll reached again to strike Frodo, Edleneth realized what she had to do. Her life wasn't as important as Frodo's. By dying, she would save him doubly: he would be able to go home, since the task would fall upon her to destroy the Ring, and the troll wouldn't kill him. She rushed towards the hobbit and shoved him out of the way. The troll stabbed his spear into her side and she gasped in pain. Frodo's shocked expression was the last thing she saw before her vision blackened and she lost consciousness.
Edleneth woke to a voice calling her name. "Edleneth!" Aragorn cried when she opened her eyes weakly. She was lying on her back, and the Fellowship watched her somberly.
She tried to sit up, and winced when she felt an excruciating pain in her side. "I'm not dead yet?" she asked, looking at Gandalf.
Gandalf shook his head. "Be at rest, Edleneth. It will be soon."
"Why did you save me?" Frodo asked, "You've never spoken to me."
Edleneth glanced at Gandalf who shook his head at her. Boromir, Aragorn, and Legolas looked between them, confused at the exchange. "You are the most important person in this mission," she gasped, "It's my duty-" Edleneth closed her eyes and breathed for the last time before she could finish.
The Fellowship sat in silence, and unbeknownst to them, a metallic voice echoed: To return to Master Sauron.