Chapter 17: What Happened in Moria
They walked for ages, led by Gandalf. The stopped in an area which Gandalf did not recognize and they waited for him to remember.
"There's something down there," Frodo informed him. Gandalf sighed.
"It's Gollum. He's been following us for some time now."
Frodo glanced over his shoulder at the two beams of light that were Gollum's eyes. "Pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he didn't have the chance—"
"Pity?" Gandalf asked, looking at Frodo with solemn eyes. "It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Those who are dead ought to deserve life, and those who are alive deserve death. Can you give it to them, Frodo?"
Moments later, Gandalf stood and beckoned the others to follow him. "The air is less foul this way. Remember, Master Perrigrin, when in doubt, always follow your nose," Gandalf joked, remembering Fang, Hagrid's old dog, Lupin an old friend and teacher, and…his godfather, Sirius Black. Heaving a deep sigh, Gandalf continued on his way with the others close behind him.
They entered into a beautifully architectured hall. After wandering around for a while, Gimli ran off into another room where a coffin lay.
The rest of the company ran after him and spied Gimli kneeling at the foot of the coffin, muttering to himself in anguish.
Reading the stone engraving, Gandalf concluded the death of Gimli's cousin. Examining their surroundings, Gandalf kneeled next to a skeleton and picked up the book in its hands. Opening up to the last few pages, Gandalf began to recall the last account of Moria.
"We cannot get out…We cannot get out. They have taken the Bridge and second hall. Frár and Lóni and Náli fell there... went five days ago... the pool is up to the wall at Westgate. The Watcher in the Water took Óin. We cannot get out. The end comes... drums, drums in the deep... they are coming."
BANG!!! Gandalf turned to Pippin, horrified. Of all the bloody…CLANG, BANG, BANG, CLANG…BONG…
Gandalf closed the book roughly and set it on the coffin. "Fool of a Took," he hissed. "Next time, warn us before you act on your stupidity!"
"Now you know how I always felt around you and Ron…" the ring taunted. Gandalf pushed the thoughts aside and headed back to the coffin.
"There coming, Harry…you know who I mean…oh! How long has it been? I haven't seen them in ages, my darling servants!!"
As she said this, the company heard the drums of orcs.
"LOCK THE DOORS!" Gandalf shouted. Aragorn and Boromir made a beeline for the doors and locked them. All grabbed hold of their weapons.
"It's not going to hold!"
"Let them come," Gimli growled. "There's still one Dwarf left in Moria!"
And so they did. The orcs were able to make a hole in the door and Legolas shot them with his arrows. After a few minutes, the orcs broke in and a fierce battle began. Boromir and Aragorn fought along side each other as did the hobbits. Gimli swung his axe wildly and Gandalf battled by sword as well.
One Orc came in, smirking, a chain in his hand. Any Orc that was still alive began laughing, chilling Gandalf's spine as a Troll was dragged in.
They never get smarter, nor prettier with each age!
"I know what you mean…" the ring answered his thoughts. "But they're useful."
Gandalf pointed his staff towards a rock, remembering how Ron knocked out the troll in their first year at school. For some reason, the rockery kept missing the brute creature.
"Gandalf, a little help here?" Aragorn shouted, fighting a horde of Orcs that seemed to be besting him. Gandalf charged at the Orcs and they fought them off.
"FRODO!!!"
Gandalf and Aragorn whipped around to see Frodo slump to the ground, clutching his stomach. This only inspired the others to bring down the troll.
Legolas jumped on top of the beast and shot three arrows into its neck until it fell down, dead.
The group went to Frodo who was coughing. "I'm alright," he chocked. "I'm fine."
"What do you think? What's white, harder than dragon's scale, yet as light as a feather? Can you answer that Gandalf the Grey?"
Mithril. "I think that there is more than meets the eye, aren't I right, Frodo?" Frodo pulled on his shirt just far enough for the company to see the gleaming Mithril.
"You have a lot of surprises, Mr. Baggins," Gimli commented, smiling.
"Yes," Gandalf agreed. "But our journey here is not yet finished. We must make for the bridge of Khazad-Dum with all speed. Run!!"
They did not need to be told twice. As they ran, they were swarmed by a larger army of Orcs. Gandalf could hear the Ring's cackling over the squabble…
BOOM…Gandalf closed his eyes. What had she done to these wizards who ridiculed her just to end up following her as…as…? BOOM…light beamed through the hall
"What is it?" Legolas, asked. Gandalf opened his eyes and turned to Legolas, Boromir, Aragorn, and the rest of the company.
"A Balrog; a creature of old. If I am correct, this is one of the last survivors. This foe is beyond any of us." Looking at them, Gandalf shouted at them to run, and he made a beeline for the bridge. The others followed.
They hit a roadblock; the stairway was broken and they ended up having to jump over it. Legolas first, then Gandalf, then Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gimli and Boromir. The bridge was damaged again, lengthening the distance between the seven already across and those who have not crossed yet. The bridge was damaged behind Frodo and Aragorn and Gandalf couldn't think of any spells that could make it easier for them to get across. But Frodo and Aragorn leaned backwards and the part of the broken stone bridge they stood began to sway, they leaned forward and leaped when they were close enough.
The company made it to the bridge just in time, but Gandalf turned around. He had faced Lucius Malfoy before, and this would be the last; Gandalf swore to make sure of it, even if it cost him his life.
"Gandalf!!" Frodo shouted his face a mask of terror.
The Balrog appeared before the company and Gandalf buried the horror that seeped within him. This was not Lucius Malfoy. But it did not matter…
The staff glowed and Gandalf began to shout orders to the beast. "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, Wielder of the Flame of Anor; you cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, Flame of Udun! Go back to the Shadow. You cannot pass!" he bellowed.
"I know you…Harry Potter…"
"Kill him, Lucius, get rid of him!" The Ring ordered.
The Balrog did so and, with a bound, the Balrog leaped full upon the bridge. Its whip whirled and hissed. "Yes, Master…"
"He cannot stand alone!" cried Aragorn suddenly and ran back along the bridge.
"Elendil!" he shouted. "I am with you Gandalf!"
"Gondor!" cried Boromir and leaped after him. Gandalf cursed and broke the bridge. The Balrog fell and, with a snap of its wrist, pulled Gandalf down with him.
"RUN YOU FOOLS!!!" Gandalf shouted as he fell into the abyss…
sorry I haven't been updating...school can be very evil...more evil than Sauron and Voldemort combined...(shivers) Anyway, till next time!
