A/N: Sorry for lack of updating. We were both attacked by mutant alien clones. (Actually, real life has just been pounding us with school, but the first explanation seemed more exciting)

Chapter 14:

The Balrog (Amanda's Resolve)

Running. That was all that crossed my mind at that point. Belinda was safe in Legolas's arms, albeit, she was being very difficult with him about not letting her walk. This was not the part I was looking forward to. Both Belinda and I knew that this was going to happen, but it didn't make it any easier on us.

I could see the narrow bridge in front of us, which Belinda had fondly nicknamed the Bridge of Doom (secretly I agreed with the nickname, but I would not admit to that in any way, shape or form). Gandalf kept on rushing us to the other side of the bridge. I tried not to look behind at the fearsome Balrog, but ultimately, I had to watch as Gandalf confronted it.

Movie special effects did not even do it justice. I could see Belinda even looked unnerved about it and she is a pyromaniac! My eyes widened as Gandalf was pulled down by the Balrog and hanging on for his life.

"Fly, you fools." Frodo screamed out in anguish as Gandalf fell down into the darkness, to an apparent death. Belinda and I knew better. We knew that he would come back as Gandalf the White. It did not make it any easier on us to bare that knowledge, however.

When we reached the sunlight, Belinda foolishly admitted that she knew that Gandalf would fall. Everyone, save Aragon (bless him), blamed Belinda for what happened. I glared at Boromir as he was the one stirring up the most trouble.

"Why does Boromir hate Belinda so much?" I asked Aragorn as we were traveling through an old forest that I could not remember the name of.

"He was raised by a man who taught him that women need to know their place. Belinda and even you are far from traditional women," Aragorn explained to me. I looked up at Belinda and could see that she was starting to fall apart.

"I would do anything to help her," I whispered.

Belinda lost it when we were captured by the Lothlórien and decked Boromir right in the face. If the situation was not so serious, I would have laughed at him for being hit by two girls in one day.

We were taken to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, and unlike the majority of our companions, they understood what had to be done.

I stayed behind and talked with Aragorn before joining Belinda. As I was heading towards our tent, I overheard Belinda talking to Legolas. He seemed averse to forgiving Belinda, and in that moment, I got really pissed off. I watched Belinda deal with our companion's all day and I would not take it anymore. This elf would not know what hit him when I was through with him. I waited until Belinda fell asleep to act.

"Elf, I need to talk to you, right now!" I rushed over to him and dragged him away from Belinda's tent, not wanting her to wake.

"What are you doing?" he asked indignantly. I reached up and slapped him right across the face.

"You, shut up and listen. I have put up with you all giving Belinda a hard time about this and I will not take it anymore. We both knew this was going to happen, and don't you dare ask me how! Gandalf will come as Gandalf the White, who by the way, is more powerful than Gandalf the Grey! Stop being a complete ass and apologize to Belinda right now or so help me God, I will hesitate to grab Aragorn's sword and castrate you!" I ranted. By the end, my face was bright red and my arms were waving around in the air. I'm sure I looked like a complete lunatic, but I did not care at this point.

Legolas looked shocked to say the least. "But, she..." I rolled my eyes.

"She loves you, isn't it obvious? You're hurting her more than I can say. If you love her too and trust her, accept the fact that she let this happen and move on. Oh, by the way, what did Boromir say to you about her?" I asked, planning to move on to our little friend after I finished with Legolas. Legolas's silence told me everything I needed to.

"Well, now that I have made you feel extremely guilty, I am going to leave to talk to a certain male. Now, I better see you groveling and begging for forgiveness when I get back because if I don't, I will be grabbing someone's sword. Whether I castrate you or just cut off your arm is undecided. Either way, there will be pain. Now go!" I ordered harshly, pointing up to Belinda's tent. Legolas scurried away like a little girl.

I smiled. I finally understood why Belinda intimidated people. This was fun. Now time to move on to our dear Gondor friend...

A/N: R&R, with a cherry on top of those double chocolate desserts that Belinda likes -ANL-