Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of the languages/phrases spoken in the books or movie. I do own Nicole, Susan, Jake, their parents (Howard and Lara Lawson, Tom and Elizabeth Daniels, Fred and Angelina Nox), Matt Thompson, the maid: Maria, and Bill.
Chapter 14
"I have no memory of this place."
The company stood before three great arches. Gandalf quickly scanned the stone walls for markings with his staff, but soon gave up.
"I am too weary to decide, and I expect that you are all as weary as I am, or wearier." He spied a guardroom to the right and cautiously approached it.
"This seems to have been a guardroom, made for the watching of these three passages," said Gimli as he followed Gandalf in. When Gandalf gave the all clear, the company unrolled their blankets and ate their rations. He remained outside to smoke his pipe while deciding on the next path.
"Jake!" called Aragorn. "Help me build a fire." Jake quickly leapt up and joined Aragorn is the search for scrap wood. When everyone was out of range, Susan whispered to Nicole.
"We need to learn how to fight. I am not going to chicken out again!"
"When being attacked from what appears to be a giant squid, I think chickening out is perfectly reasonable."
"You were right back there; we're not in a movie." Susan then knelt before Nicole and grasped her hands. "But do you really want to go home?"
Nicole shook her head while staring at the ground. "But right now?!" questioned Nicole in shock.
"Before more trouble comes. Come on!" Susan grabbed Nicole's hand and they walked over to Boromir who was fixing his pipe.
"I've reconsidered your offer," said Susan while Nicole half-hid behind her. "Will you give us a 30 second lesson in fighting?"
Boromir looked from Nicole's scared face to Susan's determined one. He took a deep breath before nodding his head and standing up.
"Get your weapons," he said as he brushed off his knees.
"Now, first: stay together when fighting to protect one another. Nicole, you will handle any close range enemies, Susan, the long range ones."
As Boromir quietly instructed them, Aragorn and Jake finished building the fire. Jake watched as Aragorn took a pinch of dried leaves and carefully put them into his pipe. After a few puffs, Aragorn noticed Jake's intense curiosity, and handed him the pipe. Jake tried to smoke, but only managed a coughing fit.
"Maybe another time," chuckled Aragorn.
A few hours later, Gandalf still hadn't decided which path to take. Susan slept with her head resting on Nicole's shoulder while Jake stood off to the side quietly practicing with his sword, Othronneth.
"Are we lost?" whispered Pippin to Merry.
"No."
"I think we are."
"Shhh! Gandalf's thinking."
"… Merry?"
"What?"
"I'm hungry."
"Jake, step with your left foot, then lunge," recommended Aragorn. Jake gave a firm nod then tried again. Boromir glanced over at Nicole, nervously watching Jake while braiding her hair.
"Do you feel confident?" he asked her.
"A little bit I guess."
"Just remember: defend, deflect, strike. If the battle becomes too much for you, find a place to hide, and no one will think the lesser of you."
"I can't abandon Jake and Susan again."
"You and Susan should not fight in battles though."
"But in my world, women are soldiers too!"
"Would you be a soldier in your world?"
"No, but—"
"It is not for everyone." With that, Boromir sat next to Aragorn again, leaving Nicole with her thoughts.
"… before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many." Curious as to who Gandalf was talking to, Nicole carefully lifted her head and peered over the rocks, trying not to disturb Susan. She watched as Frodo sat next to Gandalf with a forlorn look upon his face.
"I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened."
"So do all that come to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world and apparently other worlds as well, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought."
"Poor Frodo…" whispered Nicole.
"It's that way!" called Gandalf.
"He's remembered!" exclaimed Merry as he stood up to gather his things.
"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here," explained Gandalf as he headed to the far left arch. "If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose."
The company headed down the narrow passage way single-file before they came into what appeared to be a large room.
"Let me risk a little more light," whispered Gandalf as the company came up behind him. Nicole watched as Gandalf's staff lit up the room, which was actually a magnificent hall. Columns larger than redwood trees went back farther than Nicole's eyes could see, each intricately designed and as smooth as marble.
"Behold… the great realm and Dwarf-city of Dwarrowdelf."
"Oh my God…" gasped Susan.
"There's an eye opener, and no mistake," said Sam as the rest of the hobbits stared in wonder.
The company slowly moved forward, continuing to take in the majesty of the realm. Nicole and Susan walked up to one of the columns and inspected it.
"How could they have built these without machines?" asked Susan as she felt the cold stone beneath her hand.
"Gimli!"
The two girls turned around in time to see Gimli race into another room. When they entered, they found him weeping before a tomb.
"'Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria,'" read Gandalf as he stood beside the tomb.
"Gimli," whispered Nicole. She walked up beside him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"He is dead then. It's as I feared," finished Gandalf as he searched the room for any other clues. Giving his hat and staff to Pippin, he picked up a book held by a dwarf skeleton and began to read.
"Kilmin malur ni zaram kalil ran arag. Kheled-zâram. Balin tazlifi," prayed Gimli before rising. "Thank you, lass."
"Nicole!" called Susan. Nicole jogged over to Susan. "Stay close to me. This doesn't feel right."
"Susan's right," said Legolas to Aragorn. "We must move on. We cannot linger."
"Did you just agree with me?"
Before Legolas could respond, Gandalf read a passage from the book.
"'They have taken the bridge 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."
Nicole felt as if someone was watching her. She turned around and looked through the door into the darkness of the realm. Something was out there, she knew it. She gave a light tug on Aragorn sleeve.
"What is it?" he whispered.
"There's something out there," she whispered to him, her eyes fixed on the outside. "Something… dark…"
"They are coming."
CRASH!
Aragorn and Nicole whipped around to see Pippin by the well and a dwarf skeleton that he touched fall into it. The rumbles echoed through the caverns and mines, each crash causing Pippin to wince. When the noise had stopped, everyone release their held breaths at the same time.
"Fool of a Took!" yelled Gandalf, slamming shut his book. He walked over to Pippin and snatched his hat and staff away. "This is a serious journey, not a hobbit walking-party. Throw yourself in next time, and then you will be no further nuisance. Now be quiet!"
A cold wind passed Nicole's neck. Drums began in the darkness. Sam pointed out the blue color of Frodo's blade.
"Orcs!" Legolas yelled as Boromir rushed to the door. Two arrows shot out at him, landing with a twang in the door.
"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" yelled Aragorn to the hobbits and women. Nicole and Susan backed into the stone coffin of Balin, nervously drawing their weapons.
"They have a cave-troll," Boromir said as they began to bar the door. Jake helped to grab axes and timber with Legolas as Boromir and Aragorn positioned them at the door.
"Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!" Gimli yelled, standing on top of Balin's coffin. With their weapons drawn, the fellowship stood waiting for the doors to fail them.
As the orcs broke down the door, Aragorn and Legolas shot their bows through the cracks.
"Should I be doing that?" Susan whispered in fear and confusion. Nicole grasped Susan's forearm with her free hand, not wanting Susan to go anywhere.
The doors flew open as Aragorn and Legolas continued their assault with arrows. With a yell, the company charged forward, slashing their way through the enemy.
"Defend, deflect, strike!" Nicole muttered as an orc came at her. "Defend," she said while matching her sword with the orc blade, "deflect," swinging it to the side, "strike!" With a quick motion, Nicole stabbed the orc in the side. It squealed and fell at her feet but before she could smile at her success, another orc was at her.
This one was larger and fouler than the first, if possible. She tried to defend the orc's blow, but it proved too heavy and knocked her down.
"Move!" Susan yelled, grabbing Nicole's free hand and dragging her to the back wall. There they climbed the rumble, narrowly escaping the orc's swings. The orc grabbed Susan's ankle as they climb. She kicked it in the face as Nicole swung her sword down on it. Once free, they reached the second tier only to find the troll had entered the room.
As the troll swung its hammer down on Sam, Susan notched an arrow and aimed for its head. Hitting it in the neck, Susan grinned. "This thing is too large to miss," she quipped, notching another arrow. But now its attention was on the women. It lifted its hammer at them, but thankfully Aragorn and Boromir grabbed its chain from below, distracting it again.
The troll came swinging about. Aragorn ducked for cover, leaving Boromir with the chain. With one pull, the troll sent Boromir flying for the wall.
"Boromir!" screamed Susan, but he was on the opposite side of the room. Her scream had attracted the attention of two orcs. They began to climb the rubble after the girls. Susan pushed Nicole behind the pillar and notched an arrow, missing the first orc, but hitting the second in the neck.
The orc grabbed Susan's legs, knocking her down. Nicole rushed over with her sword, swinging madly at the orc and forgetting everything Boromir taught her. But it was Legolas' arrow that knocked the orc back. Nicole looked in his direction, not realizing he had made it to the second tier.
"Take cover!" he yelled at her, taking out his knives and battling the nearby orcs.
Nicole grabbed Susan and dashed behind the pillar just in time to see the troll whip his chain at Legolas. He ducked three times before the chain caught on a pillar and then skillfully jumped onto the troll's shoulders. With two arrows notched, Legolas fired into the troll's skull and then jumped off.
But that did not stop the troll. It then proceeded to go after the hobbits. Nicole watched, helpless, as the troll crashed its hammer down, separating Merry and Pippin from Frodo.
"Frodo!" she cried out, running towards Merry and Pippin. Running out of ideas, she assisted the two hobbits in throwing stones at the troll. An orc climbed the wall towards the three. Nicole pulled her sword out once more.
"Defend, deflect, strike!" she yelled, charging at the orc before it could reach the hobbits. She managed to deflect the orcs blade, but the orc was too quick. With one stab, its blade connected with Nicole's left arm.
She screamed, falling backwards, away from the orc. The orc lifted its blade to deliver the final blow. From the right, Jake yelled and charged at the orc, knocking it down. With the upper hand, he stabbed repeatedly at the creature.
Nicole dropped her sword and reached at her wound. Her name mixed with Frodo's was shouted among the group. Lifting her right had to her face, she moaned at the sight of blood and began to cry.
Jake reached her first. Immediately, he tore off a piece of his shirt and wrapped the wound.
"Jake… Jake!" she cried, not wanting to open her eyes. It was all a bad dream. Just a bad dream.
"Shhhh," he whispered back to her. "It's not bad. It's not bad."
Susan and Legolas then reached her. "Where is she hurt?" Legolas asked, kneeling next to her.
"Her left arm… I—I tried bandaging it… I don't—I don't know if it'll hold," Jake replied, shaking.
Legolas inspected the wound. "It'll have to. Can you carry her?" he asked Jake.
"Yes." Jake swiftly picked her up as Susan grabbed her sword.
The troll was defeated, and no more orcs were in sight. Aragorn, Sam, and Gandalf attended to Frodo as Jake, Legolas and Susan approached. A mithril shirt proved to be Frodo's savior.
"You are full of surprises, Master Baggins," said Gimli.
"How is Nicole?" asked Gandalf.
"Her left arm is gravely injured," Legolas replied.
Before Gandalf could reply, the sound of more orcs entered the chamber. "To the Bridge of Khazad-dûm!"
With Gandalf leading the way, they all ran from the chamber, the orcs trailing behind them. After about hundred yards, Jake struggled to hold Nicole, despite his strength. Soon they were surrounded by orcs and all hope seemed lost.
A roar in the distance caused the orcs to scatter.
"Let me down. I can run," Nicole whispered to Jake. He wanted to protest, but Jake was unsure of this new sound. Slowly, he let her down, keeping a protective arm around her.
The fellowship paused at the new sound.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked Gandalf.
Closing his eyes in meditation, Gandalf eventually replied, "A Balrog—a demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!"
The fellowship ran quickly to a side chamber, Boromir in the lead. But he ran too quickly ahead and nearly fell off the edge. Susan quickly wrapped an arm around him, pulling them both back to the ground.
"Lead them on, Aragorn," Nicole could hear Gandalf say. "The bridge is near. Do as I say! Swords are no more use here."
They then came to a gap in the staircase. Legolas jumped nimbly across the gap first. "Nicole!" he called, opening his arms for her.
With Jake's help, Nicole jumped first, landing securely in Legolas' arms. Susan went next, followed by Gandalf. Arrows then rained on them, causing Legolas to put Nicole down and pull out his bow. Boromir jumped next with Merry and Pippin, and Aragorn tossed Sam.
Aragorn was about to toss Gimli until Gimli replied, "Nobody tosses a Dwarf." Gimli then leapt on his own and almost stumbled back until Legolas grabbed him by the beard, and Susan by the arm.
"Not the beard!" Gimli yelled.
The stairs crumbled beneath Aragorn, Jake and Frodo, causing them to reach for higher ground. Pieces of rubble fell from the ceiling, causing the staircase to break apart.
"Hang on!" Aragorn yelled, holding both Jake and Frodo on either side of him. The stair case swayed side to side, but the three waited for the right moment.
"Lean forward!" Aragorn said, and soon they were able to jump from on stair case to the other. And with that the fellowship was off again.
"Over the bridge! Fly!" Gandalf yelled as the fellowship raced past him, Jake and Nicole at the back. Soon the Balrog appeared, charging after them like Satan's pet.
They raced across the bridge, leaving Gandalf in the middle.
"You cannot pass!" he yelled at the Balrog.
"Gandalf!" Frodo yelled.
The Balrog stood high in response, flames reaching out from its skin.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn!" Gandalf stated, lifting his staff and sword high.
The Balrog pulled out a sword of its own, wreathed in flames, and swung it down, connected with a sphere of light that surrounded Gandalf.
"Go back to the Shadow."
The Balrog took one more step forward, pulling out a whip and cracking it to the side.
"You shall not pass!" Gandalf yelled, slamming the butt of his staff to the bridge.
With one more step from the Balrog, the bridge crumbled underneath it, causing his fall. Gandalf breathed a sigh of relief and turned away, but the whip from the Balrog came up and tripped him.
Frodo ran to him, but was stopped by Boromire. "Gandalf!" the hobbit cried.
With one last look, Gandalf whispered, "Fly, you fools." And he was gone.
The fellowship retreated back, with Boromir dragging Frodo. Nicole could not believe her eyes, but with Jake's arm around her, she stumbled out of the cavern and into the light of day.
Outside in the light and cool wind, the fellowship wept.