Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! I just finished typing this chapter so I thought I would post it as a gift to all of you. Now, I didn't get to the details about Carita's former lover like I had planned, but it shall be in Chapter 10, I promise. I hope you enjoy this chapter and that everyone has a safe and happy holiday. And thank you all so very, very much for your reviews, they mean the world! Let me know what you think!

Note: Dialouge in bold is spoken in Elvish.

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 9

As the hole got larger, Legolas fired an arrow striking one of the orcs and then Aragorn. Their cries of pain echoed through the chamber and Carita took a deep breath as her light eyes were focused on the door. Their makeshift lock is broken and the orcs come charging in two falling quickly thanks to Legolas' and Aragorn's bows. Carita moved forward slashing at a charging goblin that cried out and fell as her blade cut through him. Another charged at her and she swung again only to have her blow stopped by the orc's sword. She looked at it and it let out an ear piercing scream and threw her sword from his.

Carita quickly caught her footing and went after it again, this time slashing through him and letting him crumple to the ground. She turned around and battled orc after orc, all the while listening to her companions as best she could. The sound of breaking rock caught her ear and she turned her eyes to the left to see the troll swinging his heavy chain at Legolas, but the elf dodged every swing. Something approached and she turned around quickly raising her sword just in time to block an orc's blow. She perried his sword, but he countered her more quickly than she expected and she stumbled back loosing her footing.

As the orc closed in she tightened her grip on her sword as she steadied herself, but the orc stiffened and fell to the ground a Mirkwood arrow sticking out of its back. She looked up and nodded at Legolas before she quickly turned and blocked a blow from an approaching orc. The battle raged on and she heard Aragorn cry out.

"Frodo!" Aragorn yelled over the sounds of crashing metal and she turned to see him fighting his way through orc after orc. She followed his eyes just as she saw the troll break the stone wall parting Merry, Pippin, and Frodo from each other. Her eyes widened when she saw the troll looking for Frodo who was avoiding him by moving around the pillar.

"Aragorn? Aragorn!" Frodo screamed as the troll grabbed him and dragged him out.

"Frodo!" Aragorn called, but she could tell he was tiring. Carita shook her head and moved with her speed over to the troll and slashed at its leg. It cried out and swung Frodo at her. She tried to grab onto Frodo, but the troll was too strong for her to free him from his grasp as she ducked. Frodo slashed at the trolls hand and it let go of him sending him crashing to the stone floor. Carita moved to the hobbit.

"Frodo," she said softly as she put her hand on the hobbit's shoulder. "Are you alright?" she asked gently and Frodo looked at her before his eyes widened. She looked over her shoulder and the troll was upon them. He swung his thick and heavy arm at her and she flew across the room landing in a heap once again lost to darkness. Aragorn jumped down in between Frodo and the troll grabbing a spear from the ground. He stabbed the troll, but failed to do any damage, just managing to keep the troll at bay.

Carita sighed quietly and shook her head as she slowly sat up and looked to where she had been not seconds before only to see the troll do the same thing it had done to her to Aragorn. He sent the man flying across the room and crashing hard into a stone wall. Frodo moved over to him and shook him, but when he didn't wake Frodo made to run. Carita stood on shaking legs and tried to make her way over to the hobbit only to be stopped by one of the few remaining orcs. Shaking the spots from her eyes she readied herself and killed the orc before it had a chance to strike her. She moved to go to Frodo but stopped when she saw the troll had Frodo pinned to the wall, a spear pressed hard into his chest.

"No," she whispered and shook her head. Suddenly, Merry and Pippin where on top of the troll stabbing at him with their small swords over and over, but only agitating it than hurting it. The troll threw Merry from its back as Carita moved to where Frodo laid.

She heard the distinct sound of an arrow before the troll went crashing to the ground sending Pippin flying as Carita kneeled down next to Frodo, gently turning him over. Aragorn and Gandalf were soon at her side and she looked at Aragorn before she looked down at Frodo and put her hand on his cheek. Frodo groaned and took a deep gasping breath as he raised his hand to his chest and Carita gasped as she pulled her hand back.

"He's alive!" Sam said as he looked at Gandalf in surprise and amazement and he too quickly kneeled next to Frodo.

"I'm all right, I'm not hurt," Frodo said as he sat up and looked at Carita. She shook her head.

"You should be dead," Aragorn said and Frodo looked at him. "That spear would have skewered a wild boar."

"I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets the eye," Gandalf said with a small smile and Frodo opened his tunic to reveal a sparkling mithril shirt underneath his tunic. Carita let out a small laugh and Frodo looked at her.

"You are truly a wonder," she said gently and Frodo just looked at her with a small frown.

"Mithril! You are full of surprises, Master Baggins," Gimli said with amazement. The sound approaching orcs in the distance met their ears once more and their joy at Frodo being well was lost.

"To the Bridge of Khazad-dûm!" Gandalf exclaimed and Carita helped Frodo to his feet before she quickly urged him and Sam ahead and followed Aragorn and the others from the cavern. She moved slower than she liked to, but she was weak and the spots were still present in the corners of her eyes.

They ran, but they did not get far before they were completely surrounded by goblins and orcs all looking at them with a hunger and hatred. Carita stood between Legolas and Gimli, her sword in hand and at the ready. Legolas had an arrow knotted in his bow and Gimli held onto his axe. However, the goblins and orcs were no longer her fear. If all of them had heard them, then the darkness that dwelled deep within the mine would find them and they would be lost if they did not get to the bridge and soon.

As Gimli snarled next to her a deep rumbling echoed within the deep and Carita took a slow and shaky breath. As she looked past the goblins and orcs that panicked suddenly and ran away, to see a fiery glow fill the end of the hall. The orcs and goblins were gone in mere seconds but the hall was filling with the glowing light and Carita sheathed her sword. It would be no use against what approached.

"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked and Carita looked at Gandalf to see the old wizard close his eyes before he slowly opened them and looked at the approaching light.

"A Balrog," she supplied and Gandalf looked at her. "A demon of ancient times," she finished and she could feel Legolas stiffen at her words. She knew that he would be the only one in their party other than Gandalf that would know what beast they were about to face.

"This foe is beyond any of you," Gandalf said and turned around. "Run!" he shouted and the fellowship turned quickly and ran through the hall as fast as they could and through a door. Carita was behind everyone save Aragorn and Gandalf. She saw Boromir nearly fall but Legolas quickly steadied the man and fell back with him before they stood and continued down another section. Carita stopped and turned to speak to Gandalf only to find Aragorn doing so.

"Gandalf!" Aragorn said as he approached a weary looking Gandalf.

"Lead them on, Aragorn! The bridge is near!" Gandalf said and Carita frowned. Aragorn moved to help the wizard as the Balrog's cries were heard again, but Gandalf shoved him away. "Do as I say!" Gandalf said harshly. Aragorn pulled back. "Swords are no more use here!" he said and Carita's eyes widened.

"Let me stand with you," she said when Aragorn moved on and followed the others down the stairs and Gandalf slowly did the same. They moved quickly down the stairs and Gandalf glanced at her.

"You're powers are not strong enough," Gandalf said as they continued on.

"I can stand with you," she said fiercely as they slowed and reached a gap in the steps that Legolas jumped with ease.

"Gandalf!" Legolas said as he gestured for him to jump. Gandalf hesitated a moment and looked at Carita.

"You will follow the others, I can stand alone with this enemy," Gandalf said as he jumped over and into Legolas' helping arms. Carita frowned and did just as the other two had done, but her landing nearly had her falling from the steps and she would have fallen had Legolas not grabbed her once again. Her body was in need of rest so she could heal, but no rest would come so long as they were in the darkness of the mines.

As the others jumped or were thrown, arrows were being fired on their party by orcs far away along the cliff walls. Legolas drew his bow and sent his deadly accurate arrows across the gap hitting every target he aimed for. Carita turned her eyes to see who remained only to see Aragorn and Frodo. However, before the pair could jump, the stairs they stood upon started to crumble away. They moved up further and quickly regained their footing. The gap between them and the rest of the fellowship became too large for them to safely jump and Carita shook her head.

A large boulder fell suddenly as the Balrog's thunder steps could be heard getting closer. It struck the stairs that Frodo and Aragorn stood upon cracking its already weak foundation.

"Steady! Hold on!" Aragorn shouted as the stone started to sway and he put a hand on Frodo's shoulder. "Hang on! Lean Forward!" he shouted as he pushed on Frodo's shoulder and steps moved forward.

"Come on!" Legolas said and Aragorn fell into his arms and Frodo into Gandalf's. She smiled and let out a heavy breath before she turned and the party ran down the rest of the steps and towards the bridge.

"Over the bridge! Fly!" Gandalf said as he stopped before a wall of fire and urged the others on. Carita stopped next to him and grabbed onto his robes.

"Let me stand with you," she demanded again and Gandalf shook his head.

"Run, Carita, and run with haste," he said as he shoved her and she stumbled back. Gandalf turned around and there before them was the Balrog, a creature Carita had only seen once before, and she had hoped she would never see again. "Run!" he shouted and pushed her harder as he too followed her. Carita followed the others across the bridge but turned because she knew Gandalf would not follow. "You cannot pass!" Gandalf shouted at the Balrog as he stood in the middle of the bridge.

"Gandalf!" Frodo cried but Carita kept her eyes on the scene before her. The Balrog opened its wings and shadow and flame danced high in the air.

"I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor," Gandalf said and his staff lit with a blinding light. "The dark fire will not avail you, Flame of Udûn!" The Balrog raised a blade of flame and Carita took a step to join Gandalf, but an arm was suddenly around her.

"No," Aragorn hissed from behind her and held her firmly in place. She pushed at his arm, but his grip was tight. As the Balrog brought down his sword, Gandalf struck back with his blade breaking the sword of flames into many pieces.

"Go back to the Shadow!" Gandalf shouted.

"Let me help him," Carita demanded.

"There is nothing you can do, your skills do not lie in magic and power such as his," Aragorn said firmly but Carita did not stop struggling.

"You shall not pass!" Gandalf shouted as he slammed his staff onto the bridge.

"You don't understand," she said. "You don't know what that thing is capable of," she practically yelled and Aragorn's grip loosened. She broke away from Aragorn and moved to Gandalf as the Balrog stepped forward and the bridge crumbled under it. As the Balrog fell Carita continued on as Gandalf turned around. However, before she could reach him the crack of a whip echoed in the caves and Gandalf was pulled from the bridge.

"Gandalf!" Carita shouted and with her speed moved to where the wizard clung to the stone.

"Gandalf!" Frodo shouted and she heard the hobbits fear and panic. As Carita reached for his hand Gandalf shook his head.

"Fly you fools!" he exclaimed before he let go.

"No! Gandalf!" Carita screamed as she reached over the edge but the wizard was already too far for her to grab. Tears welled in her eyes as she was dragged from the bridge. Someone was dragging her, who she didn't know and didn't care. Her friend and companion for so many years was gone.

It had been Aragorn who had dragged her from the bridge and practically carried her out of the mine. They were now traveling to Lothlorien to take refuge in the Elvin city if they were allowed it. She felt numb as they traveled and as the sun sank further in the sky, they were walking amongst the great trees of Lothlorien, but Carita did not notice their beauty or their splendor.

"Stay close, young Hobbits! They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods, an Elf-witch, of terrible power. All who look upon her, fall under her spell and are never seen again," Gimli told the hobbits.

"Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked and Carita glanced at the others.

"Well, here is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" Gimli said. Carita looked up when she felt something approach and stopped with a gasp as two arrows were suddenly pointed at her. "Oh!" Gimli exclaimed when he had an arrow pointed at him. Carita scanned the elves that held them at bay. All were tall, blue eyed, with flowing blonde hair. Their clothing a gray that blended with the trees of their realm so they would not be seen easily.

"The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark," a tall broad shouldered ellon said as he stepped forward. He was the only one of his party that was pointing a deadly arrow at the party. "Come with me," he said and he led the party high up into the tree to their lookout talans where there was little doubt in Carita's mind they would be allowed passage. She stumbled as she went to climb the ladder, and once again, Legolas steadied her. She looked at him over her shoulder and his frown only deepened.

"You are bleeding," he said as he raised his hand to her right temple, but she pulled her head away.

"I'm alright, we must not tarry," she said quietly at seeing the look the guards had given them, and she slowly followed the others up the ladder all the while hoping they would be allowed time to rest. For the first time in many long years her body was in need of it, and her heart was in need of it.