Chapter 18: Gandalf the White

Gandalf fell for an eternity as he hacked at the Balrog. He ignored the flames that licked his flesh and dodged the thrusts of his foe.

He lost track of time. No. There was no such thing as time anymore. Not in this fight.

Gandalf grimaced as he and the Balrog hit the water. Could Balrogs survive water? Gandalf wondered, looking around in the dark for the creature, his sword in his hand. Nothing.

He swam to the shore once his sight adjusted to the dark. Coughing, Gandalf heaved himself onto the rocks and looked at his surroundings. Nothing he recognized.

"Look, Precious…Wizard still alive after his fiery beating! Powerful Wizard indeed, Precious—gollum, gollum."

"Gollum! What are you doing here? I thought you were following the others?"

"We is," Gollum answered, smiling his toothless grin. "But we wants to watch Wizard be beaten by nasty fire being. Fire being won't die from just a dip in wet water. Oh no…fire being is recovering."

As Gollum spoke, something emerged from the water and Gollum let out a loud screech, running towards the exit. Gandalf stumbled, trying to follow him, but he was pulled back by the Balrog who kept him in a tight grip as it flew upwards again.

Gandalf struggled against the Balrog's grasp, trying to free his arm and sword at least so that he could attack the Balrog some more.

Nothing worked.

The Balrog burst through the rocky surface of Moria and landed on one of the mountain tops nearby. Gandalf was released and slipped, nearly loosing his sword in the process. But he regained his footing and blocked a blow from the Balrog.

Blow after blow, Gandalf dodged the Balrog and stabbed the creature himself. Days passed and the fight still raged on. Finally, just when the last of Gandalf's strength was spent, the Balrog slipped and fell. Dead.

Gandalf laid on his back staring at the snow that fell.

"Impressive…" The Eye of Sauron appeared before him. "You were still able to defeat my Balrog and live. But barely. How does it feel? Dying that is?"

Gandalf couldn't answer. His tongue was thick in his mouth. His vision blurred and everything went black…

Waking, Gandalf was surrounded eagles. "What happened?"

"You passed out, Mithrandir," A stately eagle squawked. This eagle was Gwahir, the lord of the Eagles. "My eagles almost didn't recognize you."

Gandalf sat up and winced.

"Careful, your wounds are still healing Gandalf," Gwahir explained.

"What happened? The last thing I remember was fighting a Balrog."

"You felled the beast and collapsed. That was three weeks ago. We found you only moments after you defeated the monster. Any later and you would have died."

"I was dying," Gandalf recalled. I could feel it in my bones. It seemed so…soothing…"

"Many who experience death think so."

Gandalf looked at Gwahir. "You said you didn't recognize me when you saw me, how is that?"

"Your hair, Gandalf. It is no longer grey, but whiter than snow. Also, you have defeated one of the most powerful creatures known to man and animal alike."

"So what am I now? Saruman as he should have been? Gandalf the White?"

Gwahir bobbed his head once in reply. "Yes; Gandalf the White."

Gandalf hoisted himself out of the nest and found new clothes freshly laid out for him.

Quickly dawning them, he felt new power surge through him. Clutching his staff, it changed. The holly wood was now yew and the stone in center had a new light.

"Saruman is no more. His power fades and flows now into Gandalf the White," Gwahir exclaimed, approaching Gandalf and bending low as to let Gandalf get onto his back.

Doing so, Gwahir flew Gandalf to Fangorn Forest. "Here, you may meet with those who think you dead. Good day, Gandalf the White."

Gwahir hoisted himself into the air and left. Leaving Gandalf to wonder what he ought to do…


Hey...sorry about the long update. Anyway, I could use a review or two before the next update por favor!