Here's chapter 17! I hope you enjoy lovelies!

ITALICS is for memories/thoughts/flashbacks

"To the bridge of Khazad-dum!"

The ten companions raced through the great hall of Moria, screeches echoing all around them as countless goblins seemingly appeared out of nowhere. They didn't get far before they were surrounded by the nasty creatures, all armed to the teeth. Anolindë and Legolas both had an arrow notched to their bows. Seeing the fright on the faces of the small Hobbits, Anolindë moved so she was positioned right behind them, bow held over their heads. Suddenly a large roar was heard in the distance. The goblins looked frightened. The roar was heard again and the other end of the cavernous hall was lit up. The goblins shrieked, scattering in fear.

"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked in a low tone.

Gandalf was silent for a moment before looking towards the noise.

"A Balrog," he murmured. "A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you."

Anolindë lowered her bow as all the goblins disappeared. She had heard of Balrogs. Demons engulfed in flames.

"Run!"

At Gandalf's command, the companions fled to a small doorway. They all narrowly missed falling to their deaths as they reached the edge of a stone stairway.

"Lead them on Aragorn!" Gandalf cried as another roar rang out. "The bridge is near!"

They hurried down the steps only to be met by a gap in the middle. Legolas nimbly jumped over, followed by Anolindë. The two Elves turned to the others, beckoning for the other to do the same. Gandalf jumped across next. Arrows whizzed by their heads, fired by goblins hiding in other abandoned walkways. Anolindë and Legolas returned fire, hitting their marks.

"Merry! Pippin!" Boromir yelled, grabbing the two Hobbits and leaping across.

Under their combined weight, a large chunk of stone fell from the steps, making the gap wider. Aragorn lifted Sam and tossed him over to Boromir. He made to toss Gimli next but the Dwarf held up his hands.

"Nobody tosses a Dwarf!" he proclaimed and with a yell, jumped across the gap.

He barely made it, flailing on the edge before Legolas caught him by the beard and pulled him up.

"Not the beard!" Gimli shouted.

Anolindë snorted. Stubborn Dwarf. More of the steps began to fall away, leaving the gap almost impossible to cross. Another roar was heard, followed by a huge chunk of ceiling crumbling and falling towards them, smashing through the steps behind Aragorn and Frodo. They fought to hold their balance as their portion teetered precariously. The two leaned forward, bringing it crashing into the rest of the walkway. The two were caught and as their portion fell into the chasm, the companions made their way to the bridge.

"Over the bridge!" Gandalf yelled, gesturing at the narrow crossway.

Flames burst behind them as they ran. A huge winged creature appeared, roaring. Fire shot out of its mouth as they crossed. It was only when she reached the other side did Anolindë notice that Gandalf had stopped halfway and was now facing the beast.

"You cannot pass!" Gandalf commanded.

"Gandalf!" Frodo cried.

Anolindë made to go help the wizard. She had never faced any creature like a Balrog but she had to save Gandalf. The wizard was yelling at the Balrog as a strong pair of arms encircled her.

"No meleth nîn!"

Legolas held back his beloved as she struggled to loosen herself from his grip.

"You shall not pass!" Gandalf shouted, bringing his staff down onto the bridge.

The Balrog roared and took another step forward. The bridge crumbled beneath its foot, tossing it into the chasm. Gandalf turned to walk towards the rest of the fellowship. To her horror, Anolindë saw the fiery whip of the Balrog come up from the depths and wrap itself around the Wizard's ankle, pulling him downwards. He now clung to the side of the bridge.

"Gandalf!" came Frodo's pained cry.

"Fly you fools!" was Gandalf's last command before he disappeared over the edge.

~:✿:~

A horrid stench reached Anolindë's nostrils. She looked over at the Wizard, who rode beside her and Legolas. He had been Gandalf the Grey when he had fallen. Now he was Gandalf the White, more powerful and wiser. From behind her, she could hear Legolas sputter slightly at the smell. As they came around a bend, the black gates of Mordor rose above them. Pure evil radiated from the lands behind them. Anolindë could not help but shudder. Legolas' arms around her tightened slightly. The army behind them came to a halt. Aragorn, clad in kingly attire and armor bearing the white tree, rode forward followed by Legolas, Anolindë, Gimli, Éomer, Merry, Pippin, and Gandalf. They stopped their horses directly in front of the gate. Nothing moved. Not a sound was heard.

"Where are they?" Pippin whispered from his place behind Gandalf.

"Let the lord of the black land come forth!" Aragorn called out. "Let justice be done upon him!"

Another moment of silence passed before a groaning noise was heard. Slowly, the gates before them began to open. A dark rider upon a horse rode forth. On his head he wore a metal helmet, showing only his teeth.

"My master, Sauron the great, bids thee welcome," the mouth said, spittle flying every which way. "Is there any with the authority to treat with me?"

"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed," Gandalf said angrily. "Tell your master this; the armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return."

"Old Greybeard," the mouth sneered. "I have a token I was bidden to show thee."

He reached into his robes and pulled out a metal tunic. Anolindë gasped inwardly.

Mithril! That belonged to Frodo! she thought in a panic.

"Frodo!" Pippin wailed as the rider tossed it to Gandalf.

"Silence," Gandalf commanded.

"No!" Merry cried.

"Silence!" Gandalf commanded again.

"The Halfling was dear to thee, I see," the mouth said to Gandalf. "Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf. He did."

Rage swept through Anolindë. How dare they? Her hands slowly reached for her bow, stopping only when she saw Aragorn pull his horse alongside the other rider.

"And who's this? Isildur's heir?" the mouth asked. "It takes more to make a king than a broken Elvish blade!"

With a roar, Aragorn unsheathed his sword and cleanly cut through the neck of the rider, the helmet-clad head tumbling to the ground.

"I guess that concludes negotiations," Gimli grumbled.

Anolindë looked to Aragorn, pain filling her eyes. The Hobbit could not be dead.

"I do not believe it! I will not!" Aragorn said to them.

The gates began to open wider, revealing a huge mass of chanting Orcs. Anolindë could not help it. Her gaze wandered to the eye of Sauron, high above in its tower.

Anolindë! it whispered in her mind. He will never be yours!

Images flashed through her mind. Images of Legolas with another elleth, her belly swollen with child. Undoubtedly Legolas' child. Her gaze broke as Arod turned to return to the rest of the army.

"Fall back! Fall back!" Aragorn called to them.

Anolindë's breath hitched in a sob.

"Anolindë?" Legolas asked as they swiftly dismounted.

He could see the distress in her face.

"I'm fine," she mumbled.

Legolas remained silent but worry was still etched on his features.

"Stand your ground!" Aragorn shouted at the small army.

They were beginning to lose hope as the thousands of Orcs marched towards them.

"Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers!" Aragorn yelled. "I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down. But it is not this day. This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"

At his words, the Men drew their swords, preparing for the last great battle of Middle Earth. Gimli shifted almost nervously beside Anolindë and Legolas.

"Never thought I would die fighting side by side with Elves," the Dwarf grumbled.

"What about side by side with friends?" Legolas asked.

"Aye, I could do that," Gimli agreed.

Anolindë smiled down at him.

"Come on Uncle Gimli! Let us fight some Orc!" she encouraged him.

Legolas quirked an eyebrow.

"Uncle Gimli?"

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