Gandalf waited a moment for the moon to illuminate the entranceway and began to meddle around with the riddle written on the arch. "Speak friend and enter…"
Sam was removing the supplies from Bill the Pony, slightly choked up at the thought of leaving him behind.
"It's ok, Sam." Mirra told him, giving him a hug. "Bill's a smart pony, he'll be alright."
"She's right, Sam." Aragorn said, and removed the pony's bridle. "The mines are no place for a pony."
"Buh-bye, Bill." Sam sniffed, as Aragorn slapped the pony's rear. Bill trotted off.
Mirra followed Aragorn back over to where the others were sitting down, watching Gandalf try to solve the riddle on the doorway.
Merry was standing at the edge of the small lake, skipping stones. His usual behaviour encouraging, Pippin to follow.
"Merry, Pippin, cut it out!" Mirra hissed, ditching a small stone at them. It missed and splashed into the water. "Aww sh..." She looked around to see Aragorn scowling at them.
"It is not wise to disturb the water!" He scolded the trio.
Merry and Pippin handed over their stones and scrambled back to where Sam and Gimli were shovelling in Elvish bread.
"Oh!" Gandalf sighed exasperated, capturing the groups attention. "It's useless." He slumped down beside Frodo and Legolas.
Frodo patted him on the back, then stood and inspected the door carefully. "Speak friend and enter…I have an idea." He turned back to Gandalf, excitedly. "What's the Elvish word for 'friend'?"
Gandalf arched a grey brow. "Mellon."
A creak was heard and the doors to Moria swung open.
Mirra high-fived Frodo. "Way to go, Frodo!"
As the fellowship entered Moria, Gimli rattled off on the many delights to be found inside. Mentioning food and hospitality. Mirra's mouth began to water at the thought. It was depressing that they only encountered skeletons inside. Gimli's lip trembled, when Boromir dubbed Moria a tomb.
Legolas then stumbled across one body and inspected the arrow closely. He threw it down in disgust. "Goblins!"
Mirra had a flash of memory of the occurrences in Moria, but the hobbits were running back outside before she could say anything. Boromir, Aragorn and Legolas drew their weapons, deciding that they'd take the Gap of Rohan after all.
Darren, his sword dangling from his arm, was the first to spot the ghastly tentacles of the lake monster rising out of the dark water.
"Frodo!" He cried out, half a second too late as the hobbit was swung up into the air, his little body firmly constricted by a slimy tentacle.
"Ah!" Sam screamed, rushing out behind Darren, who had begun swinging his sword at the tentacles. Merry and Pippin, too, joined them, using their small swords to cut and slash at the thing.
"Strider!" Sam cried, and Aragorn hacked at the tentacle holding Frodo.
Frodo began to fall back into the lake, but was snatched up again by the lake monster.
Legolas fired arrows at it, while the rest of the fellowship hacked at it from various points.
"His eye!" Boromir yelled. "Legolas, aim for his eye!"
Legolas nodded and fired.
"Bullseye, Legolas!" Mirra cheered.
The lake monster, temporarily blinded, dropped Frodo, who landed in Aragorn's waiting arms. The fellowship then raced back into Moria, Boromir, Aragorn, Legolas, Darren and Mirra, pushing on the doors, locking them inside and the terrible beastie outside.
Mirra slide down the door, panting. "So…Moria it is then." She said.
Darren looked ahead into the darkness of the mines. "Great."
…
They were lost. And Mirra was sorely tempted point out the way, but was silenced by Darren who insisted on letting Gandalf remember. Something about manly pride.
While Gandalf explained to Frodo about Gollum, the creepy little hobbit-thing that was also after the ring, Mirra sat down beside Legolas and Boromir.
"I still do not see the importance of you coming along with the fellowship." Boromir stated, cutting a piece of apple with his knife and handing it to her.
"We couldn't very well leave her in Rivendell, Boromir, she is sought after by Marith the Sorcerer. He's known to kill anyone in his way." Legolas replied, taking a bite of his own apple.
"Then, if Marith finds her with us, we will be killed."
Mirra bristled, chomping irritably on her apple piece. "How very gallant of you." She muttered, sarcastically.
"It wouldn't be so bad if you weren't such a trouble-magnet." Boromir retorted.
"What?! I so am not a trouble-magnet!"
"Yes, you are. Do you make a habit out of being the damsel in distress?"
"Are you kidding? I don't need you to save me!"
"Oh, sure you don't. Legolas here is always eager to come to your rescue."
Legolas went pink, but Mirra and Boromir didn't notice.
"I'm not a trouble-magnet!"
"Yes, you are!"
"No, I'm not!"
It wasn't until the argument began to get a bit too loud, that Aragorn and Darren intervened, pulling Mirra off of Boromir.
Gandalf scolded them. "We are trying to remain undetected by the goblins that no doubt still reside here in the mines, and you two are fighting. I warn you, at least try to get along for the time being that were are together as a fellowship, we can't afford to lose either of you." As Mirra and Boromir sulked, Gandalf turned to the others. "I have remembered the way. I will risk just a little more light, to help us along."
Mirra jogged to catch up with Darren and the hobbits. Boromir trailed behind, scowling.
…
After a while, the fellowship entered a larger area. It appeared to be a main hall, with smaller chambers leading from it.
Suddenly, Gimli started forward into one of the chambers, ignoring Gandalf's cry.
The fellowship found him collapsed and sobbing next to a tomb, the room was littered with corpses of dwarves.
"No, no, no…"Gimli sobbed. Boromir placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Mirra clutched Darren's hand tightly. "I remember what happens here." She whispered, entwining her fingers in his. "I'm kind scared."
"It'll be fine, you know how the story turns out."
Yeah, that's real comforting, Mirra thought.
Gandalf translated the writing on the tomb for everyone to hear. "Here lies Balin, Son of Fundin, Lord of Moria." Gimli sobbed harder. "It is as I had feared," Gandalf explained, and handed his hat and staff to Pippin in order to pry a book from the grasp of one of the corpses. He cleared some dirt from it and began to read.
"We cannot linger here." Legolas said, impatiently.
"They have taken the bridge," Gandalf read. "And the second hall. We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A Shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out...They are coming."
Frodo and Sam looked startled, gazing up at Gandalf in fear.
A loud noise was heard, as Pippin, in his naivety, twisted the arrow on a corpse and the entire thing was sent loudly clattering down a well, Mirra wasn't sure should even be there.
The fellowship was silent as the suspense in the room grew while they waited for something to happen. Nothing did.
Gandalf went over to Pippin and shook him, berating him for his stupidity, snatching his hat and staff back.
Then, from below, a soft drumming began.
Terror flashed across the faces of the fellowship.
Frodo's sword, Sting, began to glow a pale blue, warning the group that Orcs were near.
"Aww man…"
Boromir ran over to the door to see if the Orcs were already there. Two arrows barely missed his head. He pushed the doors shut and turned to the others. "They have a cave troll." He groaned.
Aragorn motioned the hobbits towards the back of the room. "Stay back." He issued them.
Gimli, out for vendetta, vaulted onto the tomb wielding his axe angrily. "Let them come!" He called out in challenge.
It didn't take long for the Orcs to break into the chamber, engaging the fellowship in combat. Mirra swung her sword, concentrating on taking out any Orc that came within 2 metres of her. Man, they sure as hell were ugly. One Orc in particular charged her, and seeing it coming, Mirra faked left, dropped to a crouch and swung upwards, slashing the thing straight across from hip to opposite shoulder.
"Whoa, Final Fantasy moment." She muttered, as she whirled again catching another one as it came at her from behind. "Man, I totally feel the workout with this thing."
For a second she stopped to take a few breaths, and barely missed out on having her head lopped off.
"Mirra!" Darren pushed her down and out of the way just in time. "Pay attention!"
"Much appreciated!" She called back, subconsciously filing away the mental image of Darren, his shirt torn and bloody, with the most amazing pecs she'd ever seen. But since she spied yet another of the uglies heading her way, she immediately sprung into action, vaulting over it and striking it from behind.
It wasn't long before the cave troll smashed it's way into the chamber, flinging stone and debris everywhere. Everyone was involved in bringing the troll down as well as fending off the uglies. Although, Mirra felt a hint of regret as it groaned from the pain of Legolas' arrows, and the men's swords. Poor thing, it was even sorta cute. But, seriously, she felt sorry for a cave troll? How screwed up was that?
Frodo, despite everyone's best efforts to prevent it, was cornered behind a stone pillar, barely missing the trolls large fists each time it slammed down on the wall behind him. Aragorn, in his attempt to protect Frodo, was sent flying across the room, and Frodo, then unprotected tried to fend off the troll with Sting. However, the troll managed to overpower him and stab his swear straight into the middle of Frodo's chest. Frodo slumped to the floor in a heap.
"Frodo!" Merry and Pippin dove onto the trolls back, bashing it over the head and pulling it back for Legolas to deliver a clean shot to the throat. The troll was toast; falling to ground with a loud thump, throwing Merry and Pippin against the wall behind Frodo's body.
Everything was silent for a moment. Most of the Orcs were dead, some had retreated back into the hall.
Legolas and Boromir went over to Aragorn, who rubbed his bruised forehead then remembered. "Frodo!"
Mirra sheathed her sword; it made a soft metallic clang as it slid inside the scabbard. "He's alright." She said.
Aragorn knelt beside Frodo and turned him over. Frodo groaned. "Ow…"
"Why aren't you dead?" Aragorn asked, puzzled at the lack of blood on Frodo's clothes. "That spear could have felled a wild boar."
Gandalf smiled approvingly. "It appears that there is more to this hobbit than meets the eye." He said.
Frodo grinned and pulled down his shirt to expose the silvery chain mail her wore. It sparkled.
Gimli chuckled. "Mythril. You are indeed full of surprises Master Baggins."
The troop exited into the hall through a rear door, since the one they'd come in though was blocked, an army of Orcs skirting around the corner behind them.
Mirra ran as fast as she could, clearing corpses like hurdles and dragging Pippin behind her. A loud roar was heard from behind, scaring the absolute crap out of Pippin, who threw himself into Mirra's arms as the uglies surrounded them.
"What new devilry is this?" Asked Boromir, clearly exasperated.
Gandalf glanced at the red silhouette on the wall. "A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. None of you are skilled to handle this. Run!"
Another roar shocked through the hall, and the Orcs scattered, screeching loudly.
The fellowship ran towards the bridge of Khazard-dum, Mirra clutched Pippin's hand tightly in hers, her other hand clamped inside of Legolas'. Gandalf and Aragorn staid to the rear of the group, as they descended the numerous flights of stairs towards the chasm.
As they rounded another bend, a part of the staircase fell away leaving a large gap in the stairwell. Unfazed, Legolas leapt across, and beckoned Gandalf to follow. Gandalf used his staff as a pole vault, the merry Olympian, and swung to the other side.
Arrows began to whistle past their heads, followed by stones and jagged rocks. Boromir, with Merry and Pippin under each of his arms, leapt across next, as Aragorn and Legolas returned fire. Aragorn then picked up Sam, tossing him across to Boromir. He then reached for Gimli, who slapped his hands away.
"Nobody tosses a dwarf!" He grumbled, and leaped across the gap on his on. Unfortunately, he would have fallen had Legolas not reached out to steady him. By his beard.
"Not the beard!" Gimli cried, rubbing his chin once he was firmly on the other side. "Elves!"
Darren jumped across and held out his arms for Mirra. "Oh, hell." She gasped, looking down into the darkness of the chasm.
"Just jump, Mirra! Don't look down, just jump!" Darren called to her.
Mirra backed away from the ledge, closed her eyes, took a run up and leaped. For a second she was flying; it was a feeling like no other and Mirra felt absolutely free for a glorious moment. Someone grabbed her hand. Mirra opened her eyes to see Boromir, and she lost balance falling backwards into the abyss screaming.
Luckily, Boromir held onto her tightly, using his, totally hot, strength to lift her back onto the ledge. The shock left Mirra sprawled on top of him, breathing heavily, before Darren helped her up.
"I told you, princess," Boromir murmured. "You are a trouble-magnet."
At this point in time the only thing Mirra could do was ignore him. The ledge Aragorn and Frodo stood on shifted forward and the group on Mirra's side of the gap watched on in horror as they jumped just in time to avoid falling into the chasm.
When everyone was over the gap, Gandalf cried out. "Over the bridge! Fly!"
Mirra couldn't help but marvel over his choice of words. Fly was so stupid. Nonetheless, she followed orders, racing across the bridge, the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't freaked out yet. It was so unlike her to be so down-to-business as she was now, Darren even used to tease her on her anime-style personality. She was truly a ditz at times, she just wasn't sure why she was so normal now. It was weird.
Gandalf stopped and turned to face the Balrog, a fierce-looking rock thing, with horns and a fire-whip, shouting incantations to stop it from passing them.
"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" He cried, lifting his staff into the air and bringing it down, hard. It was truly one of the most heroic things she'd ever seen, made better by the knowledge that he wasn't going to die. She made a personal note to seriously thank him when he came back as Gandalf the White.
At that moment, the bridge supporting the Balrog collapsed, plunging it into the dark chasm below. Gandalf leaned heavily on his staff for a second to catch his breath before turning to the others. Before he could even get a step away, the Balrog's fiery whip snaked back up through the air and twined around Gandalf's ankle, pulling him down into depths along with it. Frodo and the hobbit's cried out. Frodo had to be physically restrained by Boromir so he wouldn't throw himself into the pit, as well.
"Fly, you fools!" Gandalf's voice drifted up to them, and they did, ascending the stairs towards the east gate out of Moria.
Aragorn was in charge, Mirra recalled as they leaned against some boulders outside. The man in question wiped off his sword and sheathed it, ignoring the shocked looks of the fellowship. "We have to keep moving." He told them, and started on his way.
Boromir stopped him, indicating the hobbits and the rest of the team. "For god's sake, give them a moment at least." He pleaded, for a second his eyes met Mirra's.
Aragorn persisted. "Legolas, get them up." Legolas sullenly obeyed, lifting Merry to his feet. "We do not have anytime to waste. By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlórien. So, Boromir, get them up." He issued, then turned away.
Mirra looked at the grey sky. Aragorn's callous words were cruel, but true. They could mourn later, Gandalf wasn't even dead, after all.