Chance Encounter
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognize. I'm just borrowing them without permission but with every intention of putting them back where they belong after I'm through with them.
Chapter 12: Out of the Mines
'So the quest ends here,' thought Balian, taking a high guard and preparing to do battle. He glared at the sneering twisted faces of the orcs. They bared their stained yellow teeth at him, but he was a veteran of many battles and was not in the least intimidated by the display. He gripped the hilt of his sword so tightly that his knuckles were white. If he was to die, then he would at least die a knight.
The orcs were closing in on them when what sounded like a guttural growl caught the foul creatures' attention and sent them scrambling back into the holes and cracks from whence they came. There was an unnatural orange glow the end of the great hall. None of them knew what it was. Legolas aimed in that direction, panic written all over his fair features. Gandalf's head was bowed in thought.
"What is this new devilry?" demanded Boromir in a shaking voice, trying to hide his thinly veiled fear.
"A balrog," replied the wizard gravely and slowly. He raised his head and they could see his eyes were filled with despair and determination. "A demon of the shadow world."
On hearing Gandalf's reply, Legolas turned as pale as the moon's face. His eyes were wide with terror and he was swallowing rapidly.
"This foe is beyond any of you," continued the wizard. "Run!"
The entire Fellowship sprang into action, speeding for the exit. 'I wish he'd told us to do this earlier,' thought Balian wryly as the air around them began to grow warmer. They were running through a narrow tunnel and it seemed as if all of hell itself was on their tail. 'I could have done without the explanation.'
Boromir was the first to run out of the tunnel, closely followed by Legolas. A moment later, Balian heard a cry from Boromir. The stairs at the end of the tunnel had only a few steps. If Boromir had not stopped in time or if Legolas had not pulled him back, the man from Gondor would've fallen to his death in the dark hungry depths of Moria. It was fortunate that the hobbits —who were just behind the elf— had managed to stop also. One more step from Sam and his momentum would've caused six of the Fellowship to plunge to their deaths.
There was another flight of stairs carved into the wall at ht moth of the tunnel. It went at right-angles to the stairs that Boromir nearly fell from.
"Lead them on, Aragorn," cried Gandalf, gripping the man's shoulder tightly. "The bridge is near!"
Aragorn hesitated but Gandalf shoved him roughly. "Go!" he shouted. "Swords are of no more use here!"
Balian suddenly understood why Aragorn was reluctant to do as Gandalf asked. The old wizard intended to fight this evil alone! "I'll fight beside you, Gandalf," he cried. "I can't leave you to do this alone!"
"No, you fool!" shouted the wizard, pushing Balian in Aragorn's direction. "You must go! You cannot fight this thing! I entrust the safety of the Fellowship to you two! You must not fail me!"
Aragorn and Balian stood there, stunned. Gandalf had just made the fate of Middle Earth their responsibility. At last, Aragorn spoke. "We will not fail you," he said.
"Good," said Gandalf. "Now go!"
Aragorn and Balian gathered the rest of the Fellowship and they followed Aragorn into yet another hall. Gandalf brought up the rear. The balrog's footsteps made the rock vibrate and shatter, showering the Fellowship with dust and other debris. They came to a part in the stair where there was a large gap, about seven feet wide. All of them were at a loss as to what to do, except Legolas. The elf took a flying leap and soared across the gap, landing gracefully on his feet like a cat. He beckoned to them urgently. "Gandalf!" he called. The wizard jumped and landed on the other side with Legolas steadying him. A few orc arrows landed just in front of Merry and Pippin's toes, causing the hobbits to jump in fright. Legolas lifted his bow and returned fire.
Boromir took Pippin in one arm, Merry in another, and jumped. Some of the stair crumbled beneath his feet when he took off but all three managed to make it to the other side. Aragorn tossed Sam across like a sack of meal and was about to do the same to Gimli but the proud dwarf declined. "Nobody tosses a dwarf," rumbled the stout bearded creature. With a battle cry, he leapt and landed just at the edge. If Legolas had not grabbed his thick read beard —much to Gimli's chagrin— the dwarf would have fallen to his death. When Gimli had been pulled to safety, Balian tossed Frodo over and Boromir caught the little hobbit. Then more of the stair under their feet crumbled, further widening the gap.
Now only Aragorn and Balian had to cross. "Go on, Balian," said Aragorn, eyeing the gap. "It's not going to grow any smaller." Balian nodded and said nothing. He stared at the gap and the darkness beyond. It was really very far and He would fall a very long way if he missed the other side. He turned to Aragorn, who looked rather uncertain, and then glanced back. The balrog was getting very close. Either way, there was almost a certain chance of death.
'All death is certain,' repeated Brother John's voice in his head. Balian was preparing to jump when a rather large piece of rock fell behind them; now the part they were standing on was teetering dangerously. The two men struggled to keep their balance. They heard the groaning of rocks as the rough surfaces rubbed against each other.
"Lean forward!" shouted Aragorn. Balian did as he was told. Aragorn had a very commanding manner.
Legolas watched as the two men stood on the brink of the teetering piece of dwarvish construction, striving for survival. 'Oh Valar, please don't let them die!' he prayed silently. "Come on!" he breathed out loud, opening his arms and preparing to catch one of them. The section of stair tilted forwards towards the Fellowship, then it toppled in their direction and the two men were thrown at them.
Legolas was almost knocked off his feet as Aragorn's body slammed into him. Beside the elf, Boromir had caught Balian and both looked a little shocked. The blacksmith and the Gondorian faced each other. No words passed between them. However, Gandalf would not let them waste any more time and they were herded down the stairs and towards a narrow stone bridge with no rails. It was then that the Fellowship finally got to see the balrog. It was a gargantuan flaming beast with a human like body and ram's horns on its head. Its eyes were naught but fiery pits in its skull and its skin resembled the surface of burning coals. It held a three thronged whip of fire in its clawed hand. When it opened its mouth to roar, flames and hot air came out, reminding Balian of his forge back in France.
'Satan must look something like this,' thought Balian, who could not resist looking back at the monstrosity that was chasing them.
"Hurry!" shouted Gandalf "Across the bridge!" The Fellowship ran across the narrow stone bridge one by one until they were all on the other side.
Almost all. Gandalf was the last to cross. He stood in the middle of the bridge, barring the balrog's way. The hot air currents made the wizard's robes billow about him. He held his staff in one hand and sword in the other, resembling a great warrior from the legends of old.
"You shall not pass!" he shouted to the balrog, brandishing his weapons and standing firm. The balrog snorted and took a step forward so that one of its huge feet was now on the bridge. It flicked its whip menacingly but Gandalf was undaunted.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire," intoned the wizard "Wielder of the flame of Arnor!" He lifted his staff and conjured a globe of light around himself. The balrog pulled out a burning blade and struck at Gandalf. Its sword shattered on the shield of light.
"Go back to the shadow!" commanded Gandalf. "The dark fire shall not avail you, Flame of Udûn!" The balrog growled in annoyance and took another step forward.
"You shall not pass!" repeated Gandalf, louder this time and with every syllable articulated. The wizard drove his wooden staff into the rock of the bridge. There was a loud rumble but nothing else happened. The balrog snorted disdainfully at the Wizard's display of power. It put another foot forward. This time, the section of bridge it stood on crumbled beneath its feet and it fell into the dark chasm which separated it from the Fellowship. As it fell, it lashed out with its whip and caught Gandalf around the ankles, pulling the wizard down with it. "Fly you fools!" cried Gandalf, and then he was gone.
The sunlight was unbearably bright. The breeze was cold but he felt numb. Gandalf was gone. To Frodo, it seemed as if all hope had fallen with the wizard. Gandalf had been his guide, his mentor, his refuge. He let his feet take him away from the rest of the grieving Fellowship. He did not know where he was going. He cared not. He stood at the edge of a cliff, the Ring resting on his open palm. Everything seemed grey and silent. He felt lost.
Balian had not known the wizard for long, but he too felt a sense of loss. Without Gandalf, who was to lead the quest? He stood silent, remembering the short amount of time that he had known the wizard. Gandalf had seemed wise and gentle, reminding him a little of his own father. He had hoped that the wizard would be able to help him get back to France once the quest was over. Now it seemed the quest would never be over, and he would never see his home again.
Boromir had not known Gandalf very well, for it was Faramir who had spent time following the wizard and learning from him. Yet the eldest son of Denethor had placed his hope in the quest that Gandalf had led. He had believed that with Gandalf's aid his city would be saved and the glory of Gondor would be restored. Gandalf's fall had shown him that he could place his hope in no one; neither one of the wisest people in Middle Earth nor the heir of Isildur whom Gandalf was so keen on helping to regain the throne. No, only the Ring could save Gondor and Boromir would do anything in his power to get it.
Aragorn wished he could give the Fellowship time to grieve for their fallen leader, but circumstances would not allow it. They had to get to the woods of Lothlorien by nightfall or else they would be overwhelmed by the orcs that dwelt in Moria. He turned to Legolas. The elf was silent and his eyes were filled with grief, but he was not overcome by it. "Legolas," said Aragorn "get them up."
"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" cried Boromir.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs!" said Aragorn. "We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come Boromir, Legolas, Gimli…" his eyes fell on the blacksmith who stood as still as a statue. "…Balian. Get them up." The ranger did not look to see if they were following his instructions. He made his way to Sam, whose face was wet with tears. "On your feet, Sam," he said, pulling the hobbit to a standing position. Then he looked around. Legolas and Balian were trying to persuade Merry and Pippin to get up while Boromir was restraining a furious dwarf who was trying to get back into Moria. Frodo was nowhere in sight.
"Frodo!" called Aragorn, whipping his head in every direction, searching for the missing Ringbearer. He found Frodo, standing at the edge of a precipice and holding the Ring. He slowly approached the hobbit. "Frodo?" he asked quietly. The hobbit turned his tearstained face to the ranger.
"I wish the Ring had never come to me," said Frodo in a shaking voice.
"But it did," said Aragorn gently. "No one can change the past. We can only try to make the future better. Come."
Frodo reluctantly followed Aragorn back to where the others were waiting.
"Keep an eye on Frodo," Aragorn whispered to Balian. The blacksmith looked surprised at the request but he nodded.
The Fellowship made their way down the hill. The grass was fragrant and soft underneath their feet but no one took much notice of it. All they could think of was Gandalf's last moments and all of them felt guilty to some degree that they did not help the wizard even if such a gesture would have been futile.
It was almost nightfall by the time they reached the woods and they were all relieved when they entered it. To Balian, this seemed like one of the ancient sacred places that men were not supposed to go into. Apprehension gripped his heart. The woods were beautiful and unlike anything he had ever seen. The trees had smooth grey trunks and golden leaves hung from their branches. Dying sunlight filtered through the canopy, creating a golden pattern on the forest floor. They were like sculptures, these trees, except they were living.
"If I had come here in spring then my heart would be glad," said Legolas with a sigh.
"I am glad although it is winter," replied Aragorn. Elves were sometimes just too selective for their own good.
Gimli, however, was not feeling glad at all. "Stay close little hobbits," he said, beckoning to them. "They say a great sorceress lives here. An elf witch, of terrible power."
Balian raised an eyebrow. He was not superstitious and did not believe in such things. He wondered what Legolas would say if he had heard the dwarf's comment. It was fortunate for Gimli that Legolas was too engrossed in the trees.
"All who come here fall under her spell," continued the dwarf. The hobbits looked around in fear. Their eyes were wide.
"Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily," said Gimli with contempt. "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox—"
He had hardly finished his sentence when the tip of an arrow appeared, just inches from his face. Balian would have laughed at the dwarf's expression if he was not surrounded by hostile looking people who were pointing arrows at him.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark," said their leader smugly. They all had golden hair and pointed ears. 'They're elves!' Balian realized. Suddenly, one of the archers who were aiming at Balian gave a panicked shout. The leader rushed over.
"What's this?" he demanded, seizing Balian's hand—the one that the orcs had branded. The elf inspected the mark and then looked at the blacksmith with so much hatred that it made Balian's blood freeze.
"You are a servant of Mordor," spat the elf. He turned to his companions. "Kill him."
A/N: Another evil cliffie! Please review! By the way, do you guys think Balian should go to Mordor with Frodo or should he go with Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas? Or should the Fellowship not split up and they all go to Mordor?