-I'm so sorry for the absence everyone! Please forgive me T.T Been trying to promote my art and writing got pushed to the side regrettably. Shouldn't have allowed that cause I know how much it sucks to wait and wait for new chapters. I'll do my best to get more regular about new chapters!-

Only one thought resonated through Caleigh's mind, run.

She tailed towards the back of the group, hoping to prevent any hobbits from falling behind. She couldn't even imagine how frightened they must have been, for her own heart hammered painful in her chest. Her eyes wide as an endless amount of orcs seemed to flow into the surround like water; from the left and right, from the ground, even from the ceiling.

"This way!"

Gandalf was not only proving to be the Fellowship's guiding light, but he literally possessed the only light which they could follow.

She kept her pace up, concerned that at any moment she might be overcome by those that were only feet behind her, and she was prepared to call for the others to leave her if that were to happen. Her grip tightened upon her bow. It was held in her right hand, arrow already knocked and ready to be drawn.

Caleigh barely was able to stop herself before she plowed over Pippin when the group stopped. She lifted her gaze in question however her voice left her when she saw past Gandalf, to the sea of eyes that blocked their path.

Trapped

Together with Gandalf, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn, she helped to form a protective circle around the hobbits. Keeping tight so that one could not be easily grabbed by a bug eyed, foul breathed enemy.

Her eyes narrowed as she watched the orcs sneer, cruel smiles twisting their already deformed faces as they eagerly shifted their weight, readying to attack.

A low throaty growl echoed down the massive hall. A red fiery light accompanying the sound as it began to illuminate in the distance.

Although she wasn't an optimistic fool she did gain a small thread of relief to see that this new threat brought them salvation from the current one.

The orcs became shaken, their small bit of nerve vanishing as the unknown beast released another guttural roar, sending them scurrying back from whilst they came. Gimli released a few loud laughs as they fled; brandishing his axe as if it had been him who frightened them away.

"I do not think this is the best time to feel so victorious, sir Dwarf."

Caleigh's voice was but a whisper as she shifted her gaze to him. She knew him to not be a fool, but his display was doing nothing for her nerves or the hobbits.

Though she let her bow rest at her side, to her right Legolas kept his at the ready for a moment longer before he slowly lowered it, however his stance remained tense. She could hear movement towards the front of the group, but she was unwilling to turn her attention from the preluding blaze of the new menace.

"What is this new devilry?"

Silence followed, perhaps Gandalf didn't know?

Turning to her right so that she could look over her shoulder, she saw Gandalf with his eyes closed, the lines and wrinkling in his face showing his concentration as he strained to bring forth the old memory.

In the few seconds that passed she found herself quite aware.

The air filled with the uneasy breathing of the Fellowship, all attempting to catch their breath, knowing all too well that this new threat was greater than the last.

Despite such exertions she still felt incredibly light upon her feet, her adrenaline pushing off the inevitable fatigue that would follow if they ever managed to escape the mountain.

Her auburn locks hung wildly over her back and shoulders. At her neck they clung to her skin, dampened by sweat. Her face covered with dirt and body stained by the efforts she put forth against the orcs. Excluding the danger in the air, the only discomfort she had was the strap of her rucksack digging into her shoulder.

Still, she paid those things little mind, for her focus was on a set of blue grey eyes that had found her emerald and stone gaze over the heads of the hobbits on the opposite side. There was a warning there, perhaps even a plea in the depths. Boromir was steadily growing in her heart; however she couldn't ignore the fact that she felt more at ease where she stood, next to another.

"A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!"

With only a few words from Gandalf, the urgency was once again palpable, all moving forth without any hesitation; the obvious destination being a stairway that was now visible up ahead.

At the entrance, Gandalf stopped and turned to motion the others to keep going.

"Quickly!"

Caleigh did as ordered, hurrying past the wizard, hearing his footsteps take route behind her since she had brought up the tail end of the group.

She rounded a corner down the stairwell just in time to catch sight of Legolas pulling Boromir backwards from the edge of the walkway. They both quickly rose to continue, leaving the four hobbits to stare down at the endless abyss awaiting them should the fall.

"Come, we can't linger here!"

Herding them on down the treacherously narrow passageway, she hung back to wait for Aragorn and Gandalf.

"Gandalf."

"Lead them on, Aragorn. The bridge is near."

Aragorn nodded in acknowledgement while making a move to assist Gandalf only to be shoved away.

"Do as I say! Swords are no more use here."

Frowning, she turned on her heel, quickly catching up to where the hobbits had stopped behind the others.

Halting their path was a gap in the stairs.

Without indecision, Legolas was first to leap across the distance.

Before another crossing could be made, the Balrog's roars drew the Fellowship's attention back to where they had come down from, watching as cracks began to form as the creature worked to force his way through.

"Gandalf!"

The old wizard's gaze found the elf on the opposite side of the pass. Leaning backwards a bit he then launched himself across the distance where Legolas was waiting to steady him.

The first indication Caleigh had of a new danger was when Frodo stumbled back into her, an arrow having nearly stuck him in the foot.

Frowning she shifted a step back, raising her bow and taking aim at the orcs who stood on a balcony in the distance. With careful aim she loosed the arrow, not bothering to track it, knowing that her aim was true.

As she reached for another arrow, she heard the snap of a bowstring to her right, signaling that Legolas had joined her in her attempt to stop the barrage of arrows heading their way. However unlike the orcs, they were striking down their targets.

Caleigh kept her focus upon her task, giving the others ample time to get across the gap, she knew when it came her turn they would tell her. Though her focus was broken when Boromir leapt across with Merry and Pippin in tow, her footing being forced back as a set of stairs broke away increasing the distance to jump.

"Sam!"

Poor thing was hurled like a paperweight by Aragorn to the others. He was about to attempt the same for Gimli when the dwarf threw his hand up in the way.

"Nobody tosses a Dwarf."

Allowing his pride to take charge he leapt forth, however sure enough, it was too far for him to make, his feet barely making it to the other side and he immediately began to go backwards. Luckily Legolas shot forth; grabbing the closet object he could much to Gimli's chagrin.

"Not the beard!"

She had just loosed another arrow when she felt Aragorn's grip upon her shoulder, forcing her to face him.

"Go Caleigh!"

Feeling no need to answer him, Caleigh slung her bow over her back while immediately positioning herself on the ledge near Frodo. There was very little room on the opposite side to jump to considering Legolas was in the midst of his archery, and Boromir had his back to her, ushering the others to move on.

Although barely audible, the sound of crumbling stone was amplified throughout her being as she felt the stone beneath her feet begin to give way.

With Frodo and Aragorn directly behind her working to scramble away, there was no way to move back without knocking one of them from the passageway, so she was left with one option and minimal time to think about it.

There was no leverage to be found in the falling rock as she leapt forth.

Had her target not been lower than where she jumped from she would have had no chance, the bit she currently held was little and it was rapidly vanishing as her body began its decent.

It was when Gandalf hollered her name that Boromir spun around just in time to throw himself down on the ledge, reaching out to clench her hand just before she was out of reach.

Caleigh never had the chance to even absorb the fact she was no longer falling to her death before a second grip found her wrist and she was hoisted up safely to her knees.

Lifting her head, her vision found Legolas as he released her wrist; however Boromir kept his grip strong upon her hand as he pulled her to her feet and into his arms. He held her steady as a loud roar vibrated the air, the entire cave quaking as the Balrog once again attempted to shatter the walls.

Seeing nothing but the fabric of his tunic she could only listen, a loud crash reaching her ears just before he steered her behind him towards the hobbits once the ground stopped shaking.

There was good reason to his actions.

When she turned around she saw that there gap in the stairs was much larger, and worse, a section behind Aragorn had been taken out and the segment they were on was tilting.

"Steady!"

A collective breath was held as she and others could only watch as Aragorn and Frodo attempted to still the pillar.

"Lean forward."

Quickly Caleigh turned heading a few more steps away to provide Legolas and Boromir plenty of room to move as the opposite ledge began its approach.

Thanks to Aragorn's cleverness, they steered it directly towards their destination.

As stone collided with stone, Legolas was there to steady Aragorn as he was thrust forward, and Boromir there to catch tiny Frodo, for with all the force of the impact he was literally thrown.

Once their footing was taken, the Fellowship began their decent down the remaining stairs. Needless to say, they were all relieved to reach steady ground. Thankful to be able run without fear of falling as a raging flame ignited behind them.

"Over the bridge! Fly!"

Gandalf came to a halt with Caleigh at his side as a roar came from close behind, watching as the Balrog stepped forth from the flames releasing a mighty roar.

If Gandalf intended to berate her for stopping, he wasn't given the opportunity, for as soon as she saw him move to continue on, she was headed in a sprint towards the bridge.

"You cannot pass!"

Caleigh had just rounded the corner off the bridge to head up the final small set of stairs when she halted at the sight of panic on Frodo's face.

"Gandalf!"

She turned to witness the Balrog expand its large black wings; the heat of flames engulfing its body intensifying as it stood to its full menacing height.

"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun!"

A brilliant white light began to emit for the end of the Gandalf's staff; the light quickly spreading to wrap him in a protective shield.

Caleigh was too entranced by the magnificent glow to notice the Balrog's blazing sword until it was brought down upon Gandalf. The wise wizard never faltered as the blade shattered over him.

"Go back to the Shadow."

The Balrog further challenged with a step forth upon the bridge, a whip of pure flame forming in its clawed grip.

"You shall not pass!"

With those mighty words spoken, Gandalf slammed his staff onto the ground, however to Caleigh's surprise, nothing really happened. Her hand shifted to the hilt of her sheathed sword. She wasn't quite sure what she could do, but she just couldn't stand there as the Balrog advanced towards Gandalf.

Her thought process was soon cut short when the bridge suddenly caved in under the Balrog, sending him down to the dark depths. Gandalf released a heavy sigh, turning to join the rest the Fellowship, however with a snap of the whip, the Balrog managed to grab a hold of Gandalf's ankle pulling him down.

The wizard just barely managed to grab a hold of the ledge, but the grip he had would not last. Caleigh made to move towards him, but was halted by Aragorn's grip upon the back of her quiver.

"Fly, you fools!"

Just like that, he fell.

Caleigh fell still, the pull of Aragorn's grip disappearing as he too stood in disbelief. She heard nothing of the distraught cries from the hobbits, her emerald and stone gaze trained to the spot where Gandalf had once stood.

She paid no mind to the arrows that began whizzing by; the only thing that brought her back to focus was Aragorn once again grabbing her by the quiver and pulling her back and towards the stairs.

He quickly released his grip once it was clear she was following at his heels towards safety.

Normally Caleigh might have relished the feeling of fresh air as they exited the caves, but her chest felt constricted, her jaw clinched, and her eyes downcast. She didn't have the strength to look any of the others in the eyes. She mourned Gandalf deeply after only knowing him for a short while.

She couldn't begin the fathom the grief the others held.

Only a few short minutes passed before she felt a hand place a gentle squeeze upon her shoulder, she didn't need to look up to know it was Aragorn; her guess proving true when he spoke up.

"Legolas, get them up."

"Give them a moment, for pity's sake!"

"By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien."

"Come, Boromir, Legolas. Gimli, get them up."

Although Aragorn had not called upon her to assist, she moved to do so. She was only stopped momentarily by Boromir when she went to walk past him. No words spoken, a simple slight smile to show she was fine, or at least relatively so.

"Frodo?"

Upon Aragorn's call, she turned to see the small hobbit walking away from the group.

"Frodo!"

Seeing his tearful gaze, she moved towards him; cutting the distance quickly with long strides. Not knowing the best way to console him, she merely lowered to her knees, leaning forward to wrap him in a tight embrace.

A long moment passed before she released him to stand, placing her arm around his shoulder as she ushered him to the others.

Towards Lothlorien.