**Hello everybody! This is the next chapter of Aria Einar! Thank you to VampWolf92, Gwilwillith, dandapanda, and tessastarchild! ALSO FOR ANYONE WHO IS MAD THAT I DIDN'T UPDATE FOR SO LONG OR IS THINKING ABOUT BRINGING IT UP IN REVIEWS PLEASE READ LAST CHAPTER'S AUTHOR'S NOTE WHERE I APOLOGIZE PROFUSELY! Now that is cleared up, please have a cookie, also please enjoy the chapter, thank you!(: I'm also proud to say that this story so far has had 12,076 views and 59 reviews! I really hope to boost that up by the end of the story! Also about Aria's heart condition: I'm not sure what I was to do with that bit of info anymore so any ideas or do you think I should just remove that from stage story? Any ideas would be helpful in a PM or review! And the person that I like the idea the most might get a preview of a chapter or two!(; thanks to everyone!**
There was a loud horn noise followed by running and the cries of creatures.
"Mr. Frodo!" Sam gasped out and we all looked at Frodo. Frodo pulls out his slow and I widen my eyes when I see Sting was glowing blue.
"Orcs!" Legolas growled out and I immediately took my bow off my back as Aragorn and Boromir head for the door.
"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" Aragorn said to the Hobbits and they immediately began backing up towards Gandalf as they nervously pulled out their small swords. I smiled at them, hoping to comfort them a bit at a time like this. Aragorn and Boromir started wedging the door close and blocking them.
"They have a cave troll," Boromir says to us dryly and I sighed nervously. I glance back to see Gimli now on top of the tomb with two axes, one in each hand.
"Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!" He cried out harshly and I began to prepare myself both mentally and physically for battle since I have not been in one for some time. I stood in between Aragorn and Legolas with my bow, arrow ready to be released. I take in a deep breath as the banging on the door began and once there was a hole in the door I immediately released my arrow.
"Good shot Aria," I heard Aragorn say beside me as Legolas got another shot in.
"I learned from the best," I said with a small smile as I released another arrow and glanced at both Aragorn and Legolas.
"Pay attention you two!" Legolas said as the door finally busts open and goblins come into the small room in waves. I put my bow on my back with speed and pulled out my sword, slicing the first goblin that came in sight.
I plunged my sword into the next goblin that came into my line of sight and barely had enough time to block the blow of the next goblin. I looked at my enemy for a moment before I unconnected our swords and quickly sliced his neck. I cried out when I felt a goblin grab my long braid. Out of instinct I brought my hand without my sword up to where the hand held my hair. I gasped as the slimy hand began pulling me backwards as my nails scratched into its hand. Suddenly my head was released and snapped up to the right position. I quickly looked back to see Aragorn pulling out his sword from the goblin who grabbed me. He nodded and I smiled before stabbing a goblin that was behind me.
Suddenly there was a roaring and I looked towards the entrance of the room. Something smashed through the entrance and I quickly covered my face as rock flew around the room. My eyes widened slightly as I saw the massive cave troll as it came stomping through the room. The troll looks around the room with a menacing glare as I blocked a goblin's sword and cut off its head. The troll's eyes finally trained on Aragorn who was pulling his sword out of yet another goblin and the troll started making his way towards him. With a growl the troll swung his club at Aragorn and I gasped as Aragorn stumbled back, barely missing the blow.
"Aragorn!" I called out in fear as I saw the troll raising his club again, but this time for the killing blow. I started making my way over there and as soon as I reach the troll I run my sword as hard as I can against his leg. With a cry the troll reared back and I felt the air leave me as I flew across the room.
I landed with a grunt and I rubbed the back of my head, trying to get rid of the stars in my eyes. It suddenly got dark around me and I quickly looked up to see a goblin with a smirk on its face. I couldn't help when my nose scrunch up in disgust when I smelled its stench and saw its decaying teeth.
"What a pretty little thing you are," he breathed in my face as he bent down and I tried not to gag. My sword hand flew out and I began to panic slightly when I couldn't find my sword or any other kind of weapon near me. "Oh, what's a matter lass? Can't find your sword?" He began to chuckle and I punched the goblin in the face. The goblin groaned as it quickly stood up, bringing its hand up to its face. With a grunt I quickly kicked the goblin in the legs causing it to fall over. I looked around and saw my sword; I picked it up and quickly stabbed the goblin before looking up again.
"Aragorn, Aragorn!" I heard some cry out and began to look around. I saw Frodo trying to hide from the troll, who was now holding a spear, by hiding behind a pillar. I began making my way over to Frodo and the troll but it seemed that kept getting stopped by more goblins. As I plunged my sword deep into the belly of another goblin I heard a terrified scream.
"Frodo!" I heard Aragorn cry out and I quickly looked up as I pulled my sword out of the goblin. I gasped and brought my hand to my mouth. I suddenly feel a searing pain in my side and I quickly turn to see one of the last few remaining goblins. It brought its sword up to deliver the final blow and I quickly raised my sword. Our swords clashed and I had to fight against his blade while I felt the deep pain in my side. Just when I thought I was about to lose I heard a loud groan and I jumped back as the troll landed on the goblin.
"Well isn't that convenient," I muttered to myself dryly.
"Frodo!" I heard again and my mind was rushed back to the present. I quickly made my way over to the group and sighed sadly as I saw Frodo slumped against the wall. Suddenly he coughed and I widened my eyes as he began taking deep breaths.
"He's alive!" Sam said with clear joy as we all watched him in amazement.
"I'm alright, I'm not hurt." Frodo coughed out.
"You should be dead! The spear would have skewered a wild boar!" Aragorn said with astonishment and confusion in his voice.
"I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets the eye." Gandalf said and I looked at him to see a knowing smile on his face. Frodo opened his shirt and I smiled slightly as I saw the mithril vest.
"Mithril! You are full of surprised Mr. Baggins!" Gimli said with a chuckle as Frodo slowly began to get up. I was quick to help him and I grabbed his hand, pulling him up the rest of the way.
"Are you sure you are not hurt Frodo?" I asked with concern and Frodo nodded slowly.
"Yes, but you are hurt," Frodo said worriedly. That was when I felt the pain again in my side but I quickly shook my head as I began to hear drum rolling again.
"Think nothing of it, it's no more than a scratch." I said and looked to Gandalf for our next move.
"To the bridge of Khazad-dum!" Gandalf said and we hurriedly left the room. We began running towards our destination and I began to hope that we would make it. I began to feel my shirt get soaked with my blood and I was thankful that my adrenaline was keeping the pain away. I saw the door that we would go through in the distance and I started to push myself harder. I looked up and noticed that the goblins began to surround us. They came from the pillars and the darkness around us; we were forced to a stop once we were fully surrounded. I kept my sword gripped tightly in my hand, ready for another attack as I felt Pippin tremble slightly in fear.
I jumped slightly when a deafening roar filled the cavernous room and began to look around for the source of it. I noticed the glow of a light coming from a large hallway and I could see the light slowly getting brighter. The goblins suddenly freeze, now silent; they stopped their shrinking and began to back away slowly. They began to shriek in fear as they crawled back up the pillars and back into the darkness.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked as we all had our eyes glued to the hallway and the light emanating from it. A low growl came from the hallway as the light now formed a giant shadow and the ground began to shake.
"A balrog, a demon of the ancient world! This foe is beyond any of you! Run quickly!" Gandalf urgently yelled and we quickly began running again. I was gasping for as I ran and I could feel my injuries trying to slow me down.
I gasped as we reached the staircase and I finally saw the balrog with my own eyes. I had been to many libraries with Gandalf in different places and I remembered reading about balrogs, the picture did not make it look nearly as menacing as it actually was. I looked long enough to see that one hand held a sword and the other held a long whip covered in flame. I felt someone nudge my shoulder and I was back to the present.
"Go Aria," I looked to see Gandalf leaning against his staff and breathing heavily.
"Gandalf?" I questioned slowly and he only shook his head.
"Follow Aragorn! You weapons are no longer useful here, do not worry dear, I will catch up." Gandalf said with a small comforting smile. I nodded once before quickly making my way to the stairs, following the rest of the group. We reach a break at the end of the staircase and Legolas immediately jumped across.
"Aria!" He called and I quickly shook my head, letting Boromir toss Merry, Pippin, and Sam instead. Boromir gestured to me and I shook my head.
"Jump across Boromir," I said and he sighed but jumped anyways, knowing there was no time to argue. Aragorn moved to toss Gimli next but Gimli growled and slapped his hand away.
"Nobody tosses a dwarf!" He growled out and then proceeded to jump across. I gasped as he nearly didn't make it but Legolas caught him by his beard. "Not the beard!" Gimli cried out in pain as Legolas pulled him up.
"Go Aria!" Gandalf called and I quickly shook my head.
"No you first!" I said to Gandalf who quickly jumped and they all looked at me expectantly.
"I know what you are doing Aria! You jump next!" Aragorn said and I stared at him for a moment, I sighed before nodding slowly. I jumped across and my feet landed right on the edge. My arms swung in circles as I tried to get my balance again; Legolas grabbed me around the waist and I nodded in thanks as he pulled me forward.
Suddenly arrows began to fly as more of the steps broke off, making it almost impossible for Aragorn and Frodo to make the jump. I took a step forward and looked at Aragorn worriedly. Legolas began shooting arrows back at the goblins, but I was too worried for Aragorn and Frodo to help him. There was a loud cry that caused more rocks fall that broke the other side of the staircase that Frodo and Aragorn were standing on. I gasped as the portion began to teeter and took another step closer to the edge. I felt some grab my waist again and I knew it was Legolas.
"Steady Aria," Legolas whispered in my ear as I shook slightly in fear. Aragorn grabbed Frodo and held him tightly to him as they began to lean forward. The portion of stairs began tumbling towards us and we all took a step back as Aragorn and Frodo landed in front of us. I let out a sigh of relief as we all began to run again. We neared a bridge and I began to slow down again as felt the pain in my side again and I also noticed Gandalf was still behind the rest of us. I brought my hand to my side real quick and brought it up to see blood covering my hand.
"Over the bridge, fly!" Gandalf cried out and I ignored my hand as I ran across the bridge. I make it over the bridge and turn around to see Gandalf standing in the middle of the bridge, the balrog facing him.
"Gandalf!" I gasp out quickly and made a move to run out to him.
"No Aria!" I heard Aragorn as he caught me around the waist.
"Aragorn let me go!" I screamed out, I could not lose the companion I had been traveling with for so many years; I refused to let him die.
"You cannot pass!" Gandalf yelled to the balrog who growled out in return, flicking his whip and holding his sword in the other fiery hand.
"Gandalf!" Frodo cried out as I struggled more against Aragorn.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun!" I felt tears well in my eyes as I began to feel slightly dizzy.
"Please Gandalf!" I cried out desperately as I clawed as Aragorn's hands, hoping he would let me go.
"Go back to the shadow!" Gandalf says and the balrog swipes at Gandalf with his sword.
"No," I gasped out, leaning heavily against Aragorn's arms. Gandalf blocks the balrog's sword with his own, causing the balrog's sword to shatter as the balrog gave out a cry.
"You shall not pass!" Gandalf yelled out as he thumped his staff on the bridge. The balrog growled as he took a step forward; suddenly the bridge began to break and the balrog cried out in rage as he fell to the blackness. I sighed in relief as Gandalf turned around and started walking towards us. Suddenly we heard a snap of a whip and I saw the fiery whip wrap around Gandalf's ankle. I finally broke away from Aragorn and I ran toward Gandalf as he fell off the end of the bridge.
"Fly you fools!" He growled out just as I reached him and let go.
"Gandalf!" I screamed and bent over the edge to try and catch him.
"No Aria!" I heard and felt someone grab me. The world around me turned numb as we ran out of the cage. I squinted my eyes as the sun came from nowhere, bringing me back to my senses. I felt someone let me go and I just stood there, still not believing what happened.
"Aragorn, are you hurt?" I heard someone ask and it was then I was fully brought to my senses. I quickly looked up to find Aragorn and that was when the pain and dizziness hit me full force.
"Aria?" I heard someone question and I slowly took a step forward. I began to fall as my world went black.