Chapter 20: From Khazad-dum to Lothlorien
With all the speed, The Fellowship ran from the Hall to the bridge of Khazad-dum. As the Company raced to the bridge, their way was growing dark. The only light to guide them came from Gandalf's staff. They could hear the shrieking of the goblins and the Orcs all around them. The horrid creatures were climbing from the pillars like spiders to surround their prey. Although the Fellowship ran with all their might, their speed was no match for the great number of the foul creatures. Within moments they were surrounded by thousands of Orcs and goblins. The Fellowship raised their weapons to the horrible creatures, preparing to fight their way to the bridge.
Just as the Company was swarmed by the creatures, their came a noise like a dull rumble of thunder. There was a yellow glow in the distance. The great noise sent alll of the creatures scrambling, as they were taken by a sudden fear. The creatures crawled back into the darkness of the Hall. Gimli gave a triumphant shout, but the rest of the Fellowship remained warily silent.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked.
The faint glow in the distance grew brighter and the noise grew louder.
"A Balrog," Gandalf said. "A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!"
Without hesitation, the Company raced toward the bridge of Khazad-dum. Boromir raced on ahead, making his way down a set of stone steps. Suddenly, Boromir the steps ended. Boromir gave a cry as he tried to balance himself. Legolas was there in a flash and pulled Boromir back from the cliff. The Balrog's roar grew louder in the distance as the Fellowship raced down the stairs. They approached another set of stairs broken by the Balrog. Legolas swiftly jumped to the other side just as the walls began to crash as the Balrog drew near. Gandalf leaped to the other side when an arrow barely missed him. The Company looked up and saw Orc and Goblin arrows raining down on them. Aragorn and Legolas drew their bows to kill as many of the creatures as possible.
"Merry, Pippin!" Boromir cried.
Taking the Hobbits under each arm, Boromir made a mighty leap to the other side of the stairs. Boromir and Legolas took turns catching Sam and Gimli as they leapt across. The Balrog was drawing closer as Aragorn and Frodo prepared to jump. The Balrog's footsteps shook the earth, sending rocks to crash into the stairs. The stairs were tottering as their foundation was smashed. The Company watched as Aragorn and Frodo balanced themselves on the crumbling stairs. The stairs came crashing down, sending Aragorn and Frodo into the arms of Boromir and Legolas. The Company made their way to the Bridge of Khazad-dum with all haste.
"Over the bridge! Fly!" Gandalf shouted.
With great speed, the Fellowship made their way over the bridge as the Balrog followed behind them. Just as they were nearly free, the Company turned to witness the Balrog. It was a towering demon wreathed entirely in fire. Its roar and steps shook the very ground. In its claws it held a fiery whip and a great sword. In horror, the Fellowship watched as Gandalf stood between them and the demon.
"You cannot pass!" Gandalf shouted.
"Gandalf!" Frodo shrieked.
They watched as Gandalf's staff began to glow and surround him.
"I am the servant of the sacred fire, wielder of the flame of Arnor. Dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun!" Gandalf said.
The Balrog roared at Gandalf and brought his sword down on the wizard. Gandalf gave a cry, but he stood firm as the creature screamed at him.
"Go back to the Shadow," Gandalf said.
The Balrog did not obey Gandalf's warning. It snapped its whip and set its blazing claws down on the bridge. Gandalf raised his sword and staff to the demon.
"You shall not pass!" he cried.
In a flash of light, Gandalf brought his staff to the ground. The bridge began to collapse, taking the shreiking Balrog down with it. Gandalf turned to join the Fellowship. Suddenly, the long whip from the Balrog caught him and dragged him down. Aragorn leapt forward but was cut off by the arrows of the Orcs and Goblins. Frodo jumped forward, but Boromir held him back.
"No, no!" Boromir cried.
"Gandalf!" Frodo screamed.
As Gandalf clung to the bridge, he shouted to them, "Fly, you fools!"
In that instant, Gandalf vanished into the abyss.
"No!" Frodo screamed.
Boromir carried the screaming Hobbit out of the cavern and called to Aragorn. With great haste, the Company came to the other side of Moria. A great melancholy overtook the Company. The Hobbits were shrieking and calling out for Gandalf. Sam buried his head. Merry and Pippin tearfully embraced each other. Legolas stared at his comrades, bewildered and sorrowful, as he did not fully understand death. Boromir held a struggling Gimli back, as he wished to defend Moria once more.
"Legolas, get them up," Aragorn said.
Boromir, like the rest of his comrades, was weary and overcome with grief at the loss of Gandalf. He could not bear the thought of moving on so quickly.
"Give them a moment, for pity's sake!" he cried.
"By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with Orcs," Aragorn said. "We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come, Boromir, Legolas. Gimli, get them up."
Reluctantly, the Company got to their feet and climbed down from the hills of Moria and into the great forest of Lothlorien.
Boromir was strangely fearful as they entered Lothlorien. He had heard stories of the magic of the Elves. He had heard stories of the great power in the woods and of the Lady Galadriel.
"They say a dark power grows in these woods," Boromir said to Aragorn.
"There is only the power of the Lady Galadriel," Aragorn said.
"Is she a friend or foe to us?" Boromir asked.
"She need only be a friend if we are careful. It is not wise to speak ill of Lady Galadriel."
Suddenly, the Company found themselves surrounded by Elves with their bows drawn.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could've shot him in the dark," said a tall, blond Elf.
The Company were taken by the Elves into the kingdom of Lorien. The elf, who was known as Haldir, greeted Legolas and Aragorn in his own tongue. Gimli grew impatient as Haldir spoke.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves. Speak words we can all understand!" he said angrily.
"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days," Haldir said.
"And do you know what this dwarf says to that?" Gimli asked.
Gimli then began to speak in his own tongue. Boromir did not know what he said, but he knew they were not friendly words.
"That was not so courteous," Aragorn said.
Haldir then gazed upon Frodo. "You bring great evil here. You may go no further!"
The Company was forced to wait as Aragorn argued with Haldir in Elvish. Boromir watched Frodo as the Hobbit sat alone. He knew that Frodo already carried a great burden with the Ring. He could not bear to see the Hobbit bear another.
"Gandalf's death was not in vain," Boromir whispered. "He would not have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo. Don't carry the weight of the dead."
Frodo silently nodded to Boromir. Just then, Haldir beckoned them.
"You will follow me," he said.
By morning, the Company followed Haldir and his band of Elves through the forest. The leaves began to grow brighter as they approached the Elven sanctuary of Caras Galadhon. The city was protected by the giant mallorn trees. The mallorn trees lined the gateway into the kingdom. Their leaves were bright as the sun shone on them.
"Caras Galadhon," Haldir said. "the heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light!"
