Hours passed ... but perhaps a day as well as we traveled through the tunnels of Moria, quiet except for the few mumbles of the Hobbits to each other and my muffled sneezes, coughs, and moans.
Finally, at the top of a steep stair that set my lungs on fire Gandalf stopped, looking at the three tunnels before us. His face was troubled as I leaned against one of the rocks in front of us.
"I have no memory of this place." He said and I lowered my head onto my knees, coughing again.
I leaned against a rock, though keeping as near the fire that we set up as possible. Legolas stood beside my sitting figure and Aragorn sat beside me, Boromir beside him. The four Hobbits sat around us as I grabbed Aragorn's pipe and took a drag. He yanked it back.
"You need your own." He said. I smiled.
"Are we lost?" Pippin turned to Merry and asked him. Merry looked at Pippin.
"No," he said impatiently.
"I think we are."
"Shh! Gandalf's thinking."
"Merry?"
"What?"
... "I'm hungry..."...
I smiled and ran my hand over the back of my neck, sniffing again. I draped my blanket around my shoulders, the chill of being sick beginning to wear off due to the strength of the Elves. My leg had been healed the day we left Rivendell, two days after I passed out from it.
Gimli came to sit in front of Legolas next to me and looked over at me.
"Thank you." He said gruffly. I turned to him in utter confusion.
"What?"
"Thank you, lass, for saving me... from the tentacley thing... back there..." I frowned at him.
"Oh!" I remembered with a jolt, "Your welcome, Gimli." The Dwarf let out his breath as he blew out smoke. "I only wish the foul beast had not taken my knife." Gimli looked at me.
"That is actually the reason I came over here." I knew that Legolas was listening.
"My knife?" I asked. The Dwarf nodded and began rummaging in his pack.
"I have a replacement for it for you." He said. I shook my head.
"You do not need to Gim-"
"No, no it's fine." He said, "I have no need to them anyway." And from his pack he pulled two knives, the handles and sheaths decorated in Dwarf fashion, carved and slightly curved. I took one of them out and rotated it in my hand, admiring the handiwork.
"Oh..." I whispered. I turned to the Dwarf, "Thank you Gimli." I said, directly from my heart. "Thank you." I stood up and strapped them onto one side of my belt, where my other knife had once been. I looked back up and Gimli grinned.
"They suit you." He said. I smiled.
"Oh!" I suddenly heard above us, "It's that way."
"He's remembered." Merry said joyfully.
"No." Gandalf said, "But the air doesnt smell so foul down here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose." I looked at Aragorn and put out the fire, picking up my things and leading the others after Gandalf down the stairs and into more stone chambers, long since deserted.
"Let me risk a little more light." Gandalf whispered to himself and his staff glowed brighter. "Behold," Gandalf said, "the great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf." I looked up at the pillars of stone, carved in Dwarven handwork. Gimli looked upon the halls of his fellow Dwarves with prideful awe.
"There's an eye opener, and no mistake." Sam said, mirroring my thoughts exactly. We walked through the many pillared, rows and rows in fact, down a large pillared... well... place if you follow me. We encountered no one, and came upon no bodies until.
Gimli gasped and ran to the right where, the ground littered with bodies, there was a door, inside light pouring in, shining on something that looked like a coffin.
"Gimli!" Legolas and I were the first to run after him, followed by the others.
"No!" the Dwarf choked, falling to his knees. I walked into the room, the ground was littered with weapons and the bodies of dead Dwarves and Goblins, to see Gimli on his knees before the coffin. "Oh, no." He bowed in front of the tomb. "No!" he cried, tears choking him. I put my hand on his shoulder.
"'Here lies Balin son of Fundin, Lord of Moria." There was a pause, "He is dead then."
"We should have never come here." Said I as I backed away from the tomb.
"It's as I feared." Gandalf continued, taking off his hat and handing it to Pippin, along with his staff.
"What is this?" I wondered out loud, reaching down to what looked like a squire's skeleton and taking a book from his hand. Gandalf came behind me and took it from his hands, opening it and blowing the dust from its pages.
"We must move on." Legolas said, "We cannot linger."
"'They have taken the bridge and the second hall.'" Gandalf read, "'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.'" I looked down at the page, looking as if the Dwarf was being pulled from his writing as he wrote... "'They are coming.'"
Suddenly, as we all looked, there was a great bang. I turned to see Pippin standing by the well, the head of the creature he had touched having fallen over through the well. The rest of the body followed, along with the water bucket it had been chained to. I jumped and backed up as the banging of the body echoed out through the Mines of Moria, awakening anything that may have been there I was sure. Finally there was one last bang and Pippin stood, grimacing. We all stood for a few moments, listening to any sounds that we could.. there was nothing. Boromir sighed as I closed my eyes in relief... yet something told me that our fears were about to come true. Gandalf turned to Pippin, a grim look of dislike on his face, closing the book.
"Fool of a Took!" he scolded, "Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity." He yanked the staff and hat away from the Hobbit angrily as Pippin stood there... feeling very ashamed.
"No!" I whispered desperately as suddenly drums echoed out through the air...
"Drums... drums in the deep..." Frodo pulled out his sword slightly, it glowing blue. I frowned at him and pulled out my bow.
"Orcs." Legolas said. Boromir, his breathing becoming labored from fright ran to the door, me with him. I pulled him back just as arrows whizzed past our faces. His eyes were wide.
"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" Aragorn told the Hobbits as he and Legolas ran to help us. Aragorn, Boromir and I closed the door just as a roar went out.
"Oh great, they have a cave-troll." I said in sarcastic joy. Legolas threw us axes and such as we barred the doors, kicking and pushing them into place. We all backed away from the door, Legolas, Aragorn, and I slightly standing ahead of the others with our bows out.
"Let them come." Gimli said, "There is one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath." As soon as there was an opening Aragorn, Legolas, and I set loose our arrows, killing orc after orc.
My bow was no longer of use to me as they approached closer and I pulled out my sword, short but effective, and began running orcs through, one or two of them loosing their heads though I liked not to kill in that fashion.
My eyes widened though, through the fighting in which all the Fellowship participated, as the cave troll, bald and dumb looking though enormous and barbaric, came through the door. Legolas and I backed up, shooting arrows at it, only pausing to either defend our companions or ourselves. Gimli was knocked to the ground by the cave troll and I shot arrows at it, unaware whether Legolas did too or not, hitting it in the head and forcing it to fall back and drop its weapon.
Legolas was no longer by my side and I looked around for him, wondering where he went to. My questions were answered though when I looked up and saw that he was on the ledge of one of the walls, shooting at will. I dodged a blow from an orc, sliding my sword through its skull, bone crunching under my sword like parchment. I looked around for my companions.
"Aragorn, behind you!" I cried just as he called for Frodo, making him turn around and stab the orc that had been about to kill him. I went back to my battle, killing every orc that came in my way.
"Aragorn!" Frodo's voice screamed, "Aragorn!" I looked over just in time to see Aragorn being thrown to the side and hit his head on the ground, making him black out.
"Aragorn!" I cried and fought my way through the crowds of orcs as I killed them... but I was too late. Just as I killed the last orc in the way, the cave troll took his enormous sword and dug it into Frodo's middle.
I, along with three of my companions attacked the cave troll that did this, finally either Legolas or I killing it when I shot it in the throat and he in the face... it dropped dead.
"Aragorn!" I cried again and rushed over to his figure, holding his arm to him and dragging himself over to Frodo. I dropped to one knee beside him.
"Are you alright?" I asked, taking the arm that he held to him and holding it in my hands, looking it over. The Ranger pushed my hand gently aside.
"Oh no." Aragorn whispered and flipped the Hobbit over with my help. I could see the slit in his shirt... but no blood... Sam let his breath out as Frodo coughed a bit and sat up.
"He's alive." He said thankfully, putting one hand on Frodo's arm.
"I'm alright." Frodo said, "I'm not hurt." I frowned.
"You should be dead." Aragorn said. I put my hand on his shoulder. "That spear would have skewered a wild boar." His face was desperately thankful yet unbelieving.
"Stop, dont jinx the fact he isnt." I said. Frodo looked down at his shirt.
"I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets the eye." Gandalf said. Frodo pulled apart his shirt, reveling a shirt of shiny substance.
"Mithril," Gimli whispered in near awe. "You are full of surprises Master Baggins." Gimli said. I smiled widely.
But, yet, our joy lasted not but a few moments, for just outside the door we could hear the squeals and movement of frightening creatures. I pulled out my bow once more.
"To the Bridge of Khazad-dum!" Gandalf exclaimed in a whisper.
"Hurry!" I cried hushed as well and helped Aragorn to his feet, holding his arm for a moment, making sure it was alright.
"I'm fine." He said, smiling and grabbed the torch that he had thrown to the ground, rushing out of the door with us.
The Hobbits kept looking behind them as we ran, making them stumble. I dared to look over to where they were looking, only to have my heart drop down to my stomach at the sight of countless crowds of goblins and orcs behind us. They came out of cracks in the ground and down from the pillars, Aragorn and I looked at each other.
"This way!" Gandalf called and I tried to pick up my pace, my breath wheezing and my heart burning. I wasnt going to be able to go on for long.
"Run!" I could see Aragorn looking out the corner of his eye at me and he grabbed my hand, pulling my slowing body with him, pushing me on, yet hissing in pain from his injured arm. Legolas ran right behind me. They came from the ceiling like cockroaches, coming down the pillars... and surrounding us. We all came to a halt very suddenly, our weapons out, back to back in a circle.
"We'll never get out," I said to Aragorn and Legolas, for they were on either side of me. "There are too many."
"Thats not the way to look at it." Aragorn told me. I frowned at him.
We all stood there for a moment, silence engulfing us all as the Goblins growled at us, their faces green and contorted like those of orcs. I swallowed through my sore throat nervously... no longer was I warm.
Suddenly, as all of our heads whipped to the side, a roar erupted from the end of the passageway. To my surprise the Goblins seemed to be frightened and disappeared back into their cracks in fright, just as a fiery light came from the end of the corridor. The companions that were us looked at each other in alarm and confusion. Legolas and I aimed our bows toward the end of the corridor that was still shaking with growls and roars.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked. Gandalf looked as if he had suddenly aged ten years. Fire lit the hallways as the light came closer to us. Why we were still standing here I could not be sure.
"A Balrog." Gandalf said and my eyes widened to their full extent, backing up a step. "A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you." There was a pause and Legolas, Aragorn, and I exchanged glances.
"There's nothing we can do to stop it." I whispered hoarsely, "Run!" I yelled and our company took off through the passageway, speed being gifted to me, fear pumping my sick body with adrenaline, making me ready to run.
"Quickly," Gandalf said, pushing us through the doorway. I stayed to make sure that all made it through before running through the doorway, around a corner, and down a flight of stairs, the area of the Mines around us lit with flames that I knew not where they came from.
Suddenly, just as Boromir and I, who were in the lead were about to step off of the last step we realized there was no step to walk to, instead there was a great cliff, dropping down to as far as I could see.
With a cry of shock and fear, Boromir dropped his torch down, balancing on his toes to keep from falling, I doing the same.
I grabbed onto the warrior's clothing, leaning my body back and just as Legolas came and dragged us, the three of us crashed to the ground on the stairs. I looked up at Aragorn and Gandalf.
"You and Rhasslairiel lead them on, Aragorn." Gandalf said, putting his hand on Aragorn's shoulder. I looked at him with confusion. "The bridge is near." He said. I jumped up to defend him, my sword out. "Do as I say!" he cried, shoving me and Aragorn to the left, where another set of stairs were, "Swords are no more use here." Aragorn and I exchanged glances, running down the stairs lightly, my breath still coming in wheezes, my legs like jam.
The stairs winded down in blocked like winds, standing up on their own pillars, though not fully connected to the ground. We walked down another set of stairs... coming to a stop where there was a gap. Legolas leaped lightly across it, I after him. We turned around to who was next in line. Gandalf pausing, not in fright but some emotion that I could not place.
"Gandalf!" I called, beckoning with my arm. I could feel the ledge that they were standing on begin to break. Gandalf jumped across the ledge with a cry, flying into Legolas who steadied the wizard.
Arrows whizzed past my head and we all looked over at Goblins standing on the ledges of the cliffs, shooting savage arrows at us. I pulled out my bow, looking at Legolas.
"Get them across." I ordered, "I'll take care of these creatures." Aragorn and I shot arrow after arrow, I looking only for a moment to see Boromir grab Merry and Pippin and jump to the side, just as another piece of their side of the stairs fell off.
"Sam." Aragorn said as I turned to them, allowing Legolas to shoot his fill. The Hobbit was tossed over the ledge and Boromir caught him. I made the Hobbit stand behind me, hoping that the flying arrows would hit me before it did any of them. Aragorn turned to Gimli.
"Nobody tosses a Dwarf." He said firmly, holding up his hand. With a cry he jumped.
My eyes widened as he landed and began to fall backward, reaching forward and grabbing the first thing I could...
"Not the beard!" he screamed as I grabbed his red beard, pulling him forward, putting my arm around his back to pull him up. He looked at me savagely.
"Frodo!" a cry made me look up to Aragorn and Frodo, another enormous piece falling off. They stood, Aragorn with his hand on Frodo's shoulder. I refrained from screaming my fellow Ranger's name. "Steady..." I heard Aragorn mumble. The gap was enormous between us. They would never be able to jump. From behind them a roar erupted again, sending boulders tumbling down from the foundation of the Mines. I nearly screamed as one of them fell onto the piece that Aragorn and Frodo stood on. They were now balancing on a piece, the pillar that held them up cracking and crumbling, sending the slanted platform tipping at dangerous angles.
"Hang on!" I cried, my worried eyes, reflecting off of Aragorn's, my dear friend. I was not going to loose them. "Lean!" I cried to Aragorn and he nodded, putting his arm around Frodo's back and coming around on his chest.
"Lean forward!" Aragorn cried and they did, sending the piece tumbling at us. I pushed the companions that I could reach back.
"Come on!" Legolas cried in his soft voice and I looked at him... such care was in his eyes for those he had not just met a week or two ago, for I had lost track of the time. But now was not the time to think of such things. I would evaluate the Elf that I was quite fond of later.
The two pieces of the stairs collided with force that sent our piece shaking as Frodo and Aragorn jumped, Aragorn landing in Legolas's supporting arms and Frodo in Boromir's. I clapped Aragorn on the shoulder, not being able to say anything through the coughing attack that seized me and we took off again down the stairs and through the fiery world ahead.
"Over the bridge!" Gandalf cried as we ran through the Mines, the stone itself becoming engulfed in flames. Legolas and I ran in the back, our bows out ready to shoot if needed. Gandalf stopped to let all go ahead of him. "Fly!" he cried and turned around, stopping. I tried to stop as well but Legolas grabbed my hand, pulling me onward. I did not look back at the sound of the tremendous bang as something larger than life landed on the ground just behind us for I already knew what it was. A Balrog, its body fiery and smoking, its appearance like burned flesh or scorched stone, horns coming around his head like a ram, great wings sprouting behind his back. I did not want to look back.
I was the last but Gandalf to cross the bridge and come to the other side, turning around to aid the wizard if needed... but he had stopped.
"Gandalf!" I cried, making the Ring-bearing Hobbit turn around, his eyes wide.
"You cannot pass!" Gandalf cried to the Balrog. The creature had come to a stop.
"Gandalf!" Frodo cried.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor." My Elvish ears could hear what he was saying though I was sure the others could not. "The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun!" he cried, holding up his staff, making it light up brightest I had ever seen it. I shook my head, the word "No..." whispering from my mouth. The Balrog took out his sword made of fire, lifting it over his head. I made to run forward but Legolas took my middle, holding me back.
"No!" he cried, pulling me back. I ceased to fight as the Balrog's sword came down toward Gandalf, watching with my eyes wide. It collided with Gandalf's staff as he let out a grunt, fire falling around him. Aragorn came to stand next to me, his hair falling to his face as he stopped himself.
"Go back to the Shadow." Gandalf commanded the Balrog. The creature stepped forward, his sword now a fiery whip. "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Gandalf screamed and lifted his staff and sword over his head, slamming them into the ground in front of him.
Just as the Balrog went to attack the wizard, the bridge ground beneath him fell to the depths, its whip the only thing left to see as it fell to the Abyss.
Gandalf turned, his face tired but rid of the problem to walk to us. Legolas let go of me as I stood there, smiling just a tad... but suddenly...
The whip was cracked and Gandalf fell to the ground, I realizing that it had wrapped around his ankle, dragging him to the edge of the broken bridge.
Frodo made to run forward just as I was, Legolas putting his arm back around my waist and holding me back, just as Boromir was doing with Frodo.
"No! No!" Boromir cried.
"Gandalf!" Frodo screamed. I tried as best I could to get Legolas's arm off of me, succeeding only to have Aragorn take my shoulder. I watched as Gandalf reached over and grabbed one of the tine ledges with his fingers, trying to pull himself up, but the strength of the Balrog was too much for him. He made eye contact with me for a moment.
"Fly, you fools!" he whispered loud enough for us to hear and suddenly let go... falling down to the Abyss... Frodo's screaming voice ringing out behind me.
And thus ended the life of Gandalf the Grey, Wizard of Middle Earth.
"Gandalf!" I cried, trying to run forward but Aragorn took my shoulders, pulling me around, the same sadness and shock in his eyes that pierced my heart.
"No, Rhasslairiel!" he cried, "He wants us to lead!" I shook my head, "Please!" he cried, "You can't go... I need you here to help me!"
"Aragorn!" Boromir cried and Legolas ran up the stairs toward them, arrows bouncing off the stairs again as Goblins and orcs shot them at us. I looked back for only a moment before nodding, a cough racking my body and we ran toward our company, Aragorn dragging me behind him.