Chapter Eight
"They Have A Cave Troll"
"Jesse, walk with me for a moment," Gandalf beckoned, as the group made their way through the rough and rocky terrain. "Yes, Mithrandir," Jesse asked with a smile as she walked up to the old wizard. "You know what is to happen in Moria," he stated, rather than asked; when she nodded her head silently he went on, "As do I. Though I cannot see the outcome, I trust in you to keep the Fellowship moving in the proper course. There is much at stake if we were to fail. How is Boromir holding up against the power of the Ring?" "He is doing well. I have not sensed him being drawn to the Ring since the day of the Council. I have intervened a couple of times to keep the ring from trying to influence him just in case though. I figured it was better safe than sorry," she replied, trying to think of all the information the wizard might need, "I will have to have a long talk with Aragorn, though, he will not have Boromir's death to spur him on. In the stories it was Boromir's fall that encouraged Aragorn to fight for and take his place as king. However I believe I will be able to ask Boromir for help with that. He does owe me for introducing him to his Lady Love after all," she added the last part trying to bring comfort to the old wizard beside her.
"That is good, very good indeed," Gandalf said with a gentle smile, "The burden you bear is almost as heavy as the one Frodo wears, and yet you have not allowed it dampen your spirit. Knowledge such as yours is both a blessing and a curse." "Don't I know it," Jesse said sarcastically, "I even have started planning strategies for how I will fight certain battles in my dreams." "It is good to be prepared in times such as this," he said knowing of what haunted her dreams, for he had also seen it, "Do not despair however. I see an end to such dreams, for you," he added cryptically. "Oh, go talk to Frodo," Jesse said rebutted playfully, then seriously she added, "He needs to be prepared a bit for what is to come, and you are the only one that can do that."
"Frodo, come and help old man," Gandalf called after Jesse had rejoined Boromir, and the hobbit had made his way to the front of the group to join him, "How is your shoulder?" "Better than it was," Frodo answered, honestly, rolling his shoulder a bit. "And the Ring," the wizard asked, watching as the hobbit put his small shaking hand to his neck, where the ring lay under his shirt, "You feel its power growing, don't you? I've felt it too. You must be careful now. Evil will be drawn to you from outside the Fellowship. And I fear, from within," he cautioned the young hobbit. "Who then do I trust," Frodo asked confused and a bit scared. "You must trust yourself. Trust your own strengths," Gandalf replied, grasping Frodo's shoulder reassuringly. "What do you mean," he asked not understanding why Gandalf was saying these things. "There are many powers in this world for good or for evil. Some are greater than I am. And against some I have not yet been tested," the gray wizard said.
"The Walls of Moria," Gimli exclaimed in awe as the group passed over one final ridge and sheer cliffs came into view rising up in front of them. Between the Fellowship and the cliff face was a huge murky lake, the home of the giant creature that always made Jesse think of an octopus on steroids. She knew she would have to be on her guard. Frodo had to be protected but at the same time the Watcher had to bring down the doors of Moria to seal them into their journey through the ruined city of the dwarves.
As they worked their way carefully around the lake, Jesse watched the area around them, as Gimli tapped away at the cliff side explaining, "Dwarf doors are invisible when closed." "Yes, Gimli, their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten," Gandalf added as he studied the wall in front of him. Legolas earned himself a nice elbow to the ribs by Jesse when he commented dryly, "Why does that not surprise me?" "Be nice Legolas," Jesse ordered as she walked past.
As she neared Gandalf she could hear him muttering to himself as he looked at a spot in the wall, "Well, let's see. Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight." As if on cue the clouds part allowing the moon and stars shine brightly overhead, and revealing glowing designs on the cliff wall. "It reads: The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter," Gandalf announced as he stepped back and read the inscriptions. "What do you suppose that means," Merry asked the old wizard as he from his position next to Gimli. "Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, speak the password, and the doors will open," Gandalf replied still looking at the door, "Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen!" The doors never budged, "Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa," the gray wizard commanded placing his staff against the center of the door, and still the doors did not move. Walking up to Jesse and Legolas, Pippin said, "Nothing's happening," as he looked up at the two elves on either side of him. "I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves, Men and Orcs," stated the old wizard as he stood back shaking his head. Of course Pippin, being Pippin had to ask, "What are you going to do then?" "Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them, and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will try to find the opening words," Gandalf replied tiredly, as he sat down heavily on a bolder near the doors, his attention still focused on them.
Jesse walked over to Aragorn and Sam where they were relieving Bill the Pony of the packs he had been carrying for them. "The mines are no place for a pony. Even one so brave as Bill," the ranger said to the small hobbit next to him. Sam was almost in tears when he bid goodbye to the small pony, "Bye bye, Bill." Aragorn encouraged the animal to head toward the direction of Rivendale, saying, "Go on, Bill. Go on. Don't worry Sam. He knows the way home." "Aragorn is right, Sam. He will be fine and I am sure Lord Elrond will take really good care of him for you till we get back," Jesse assured as she walked up to say her farewell to the pony. Reaching into the animal's mind she gave him directions to get back to Rivendell and sent him away with her blessing and thanks, promising to watch over Sam. Sometimes being able to hear the thoughts and speaking to animals was an extreme joy for Jesse, and Bill's thoughts seemed to lighten her mood greatly. "You will see him again, Sam. Don't worry," she assured, placing her hand on his shoulder and giving it a bit of a squeeze.
The sound of water splashing drew the attention of Jesse and Aragorn away from Sam, turning she saw Merry and Pippin trying to skip stones on the lakes surface. Aragorn grabbed Pippin's arm before he could throw another, "Do not disturb the water." Jesse watched the surface of the water rippling slightly. "What is it? Do you see something," Boromir asked as he walked up beside her. "No, it is just that this lake gives me a very bad feeling," Jesse stated, she knew what lurked in its depths and soon so would the rest of her new friends.
Shaking herself from her thoughts she turned around and walked back towards Gandalf and Frodo, leaving Boromir standing by the lakeshore. "Oh, it's useless," the disheartened wizard said. Jesse watched as Frodo stood studying the door. "It's a riddle. Speak friend, and enter," he spoke softly, "What's the elvish word for friend?" In wonder, Gandalf spoke clearly the answer to the hobbit's question, "Mellon." Slowly the doors began to creak open, the sound of stone rubbing against stone broke the silence of the small group. Gathering their things quickly they all began to make their way inside the dark cavern, as the water of the lake began to move even more.
As the small group began to make their way in the darkness Gimli began to exclaim, "Soon Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, red meat of the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!" Jesse watched as Gandalf placed a crystal in the top of his staff, and as the crystal began to glow the bodies of fallen dwarves could be seen. As a tear fell from her eye she could hear Boromir's distressed voice state, "This is no mine. It's a tomb." She could hear Gimli's cries over his fallen kindred, "No! No! Noooo!" All she could see was mass murder of a noble people, that in other circumstances she would have probably called friend. Legolas bent down and withdrew an arrow from one of the bodies, looking at the arrow he announced in distaste, "Goblins!" "We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here! Now get out of here! Get out," Boromir's voice cut through her thoughts.
As the group began to back away from the scene in front of them, a scream of terror came from Sam, "Strider!" Jesse turned around to see the hobbits struggling to slash through a tentacle that was wrapped around Frodo's lower leg. "Aragorn," Boromir shouted as he ran into the water and began hacking at the creature's tentacles, finally cutting the right one, Frodo, fell into a waiting Aragorn's arms. Jesse and Legolas took up positions on either side of the door, their bows notched and ready to fire. "Into the mines," Gandalf ordered making his way back into the door. "Legolas wait for it to come out of the water then aim for the eyes," Jesse ordered, knowing how to slow the creature down to by them all time to get into the mines. When the creature broke the surface the pair quickly let their arrows fly, hitting their marks, causing the monster to pull back. "Legolas! Jesse! Into the cave," Boromir called, as the elves were the last ones through the doors. They had no sooner made it into the cave than the creature attacked again, causing a rockslide to bury the entrance.
A light tap was heard as Gandalf relit the crystal in his staff, saying with certainty, "We now have but one choice. We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world," as the group began to follow him, he added, "It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."
"Gimli," Jesse asked, as she walked up next to the silently distressed, dwarf, "I am so sorry, how are you holding up?" "Thank you, Lass," Gimli said trying to smile up at the elleth, though Jesse could still see tears shining in his eyes, "I will be alright." "If you need to talk, just say so, and I'll be there," Jesse said, she remembered how her friend Dailin, had helped her through the losses of Patty, then Grams, Prue, and finally loosing Chris. "I have lost several very important people in my life, and if it hadn't been for my friend Dailin, I don't know how I would have gotten through it," Jesse went on to say. "I appreciate that Lass," Gimli said the tears that he had shed glistening on his beard, "Tell me about that friend of yours," he added.
"Well I met Dailin when I was about four years old. He was already an adult, though a young one. His father was the head of their family and they lived in the enchanted mines not far from San Francisco. He was helping at the Magic School when I first started going to classes there. By the time I was twenty, I considered Dailin my best friend. I even had a hand in getting him and his wife together. She was the grand daughter of my hobbit nanny. Dwarves and hobbits had only married four other times before that. His wife's name is Daisy and she teaches some of the younger students at the Magic School. They have four children. Three sons Durin, Balin, and you will love this one, their youngest of the four is named Gimli," Jesse said with a smile, watching as Gimli's eyes lit up. "He named his sons after my family and me," Gimli said in astonishment, "Well go on Lass. You said he had four children," he added wanting to hear more. "Their daughter is named Rosie," Jesse said with a smile, "She was named after a distant ancestor of Daisy's. Now that I know what I know, I would have to guess that Dailin might be descended from your family line. The two of you actually look a lot alike." "Thank you Lass, it was good hear that some of my family may see the end of this accursed war," Gimli said honestly.
What the pair did not realize was that Legolas was listening as well to Jesse's tale. It also gave him hope that there would be an ending to the evil that was spreading through out the world. Hope that one day the forests of his home would have the light they had once shown with before darkness encroached upon it. When they made camp he was determined to ask her if the forests of his childhood still existed in that distant future she had came from.
The group walked for hours through tunnels and up stairs that were carved out by ancient dwarves. As they climbed up a winding staircase that seemed to go on forever, Jesse had to grab Pippin as he slipped on the loose stones that were breaking free of the stairs. "Careful, Pip," she cautioned, "It is a long way down even for me." He nodded his head in thanks, not sure if he could trust his voice.
When they reached the top they were standing on a narrow path that disappeared into the darkness. Gandalf tilted his staff to show light down into the cavern below them and the walls seemed to gleam. "The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels, but mithril," he explained, as the group looked down at the shining walls, he went on to say, "Bilbo had a shirt of mithril rings that Thorin gave him." Gimli perked up at the words, and exclaimed, "That was a kingly gift!" "Yes. I never told him but its worth was greater than the value of the Shire," the wizard went on to explain, as the group began to move on.
It took them about another hour to reach an area that was large enough to make a suitable campsite. "We will rest here for the night," Gandalf announced to the exhausted group. From where they were they could just make out more stairs that they would need to climb the next morning. As everyone began to layout their bedrolls, and dried meat, bread and cheese were handed out for a meal; Jesse took up her position at the edge of the group to take the first watch.
"Jesse, may I speak with you," Legolas asked as he walked over to the elleth that was eating her meal and staring off into the blackness around them. "I was wondering when you would ask to talk to me," she said making room for him to sit down next to her, "I don't know for sure if I have the answer you are looking for though. You see the world I grew up in is much larger than Middle Earth. I think the world reformed again some time after the elves left. Changing Middle Earth into what I would call Earth. There is a place that I have been once though that always seemed to remind me of the place you would call home. Though now in that world it is somewhat different from the descriptions I have heard of Mirkwood. It is a mountainous region, but it is so very beautiful. It is called the Ozarks and the size takes up sections of four states, though for the most part it is in Missouri and Arkansas. If it was Mirkwood in its past then Legolas, your home will get its light back I promise," she paused to let her words sink in, "I wish I could give you a more definite answer, but as I said before, the world I lived in is much different." "Thank you, for the answers you have given me. I hope that one day I can show you the forests of my home. It was not always the dark place it is now, but even in the darkness there is still a beauty there," he replied with a smile. "And I would love to see them," Jesse answered honestly. She had always dreamed of seeing Mirkwood as a child, and what better guide could she ask for than the Prince of Mirkwood.
At the end of the third day of their journey through the Mines of Moria, the group reached an area where three tunnels split off in different directions. Looking around Gandalf sat down on a stone, taking his hat from his head, he said, "I have no memory of this place." The group took that as their cue to sit down and rest for a bit. Time seemed to stretch on as the old wizard thought about the three different paths.
"Are we lost," Pippin asked sitting down next to Merry. "No," Merry replied looking toward the old gray figure sitting on the rock. "I think we are," Pippin said with confidence. Merry turned back to Pippin, and scolded, "Shhh, Gandalf's thinking." "Merry," Pippin whispered. "What," asked Merry, slight annoyance showing in his eyes. Looking sheepish, Pippin answered, "I'm hungry."
As Jesse heard Gandalf and Frodo begin to talk about Gollum she thought she began to quietly sing to herself.
"Look at me
You may think you see
Who I really am
But you'll never know me
Every day
It's as if I play a part
Now I see
If I wear a mask
I can fool the world
But I cannot fool my heart
Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me?
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
I am now
In a world where I
Have to hide my heart
And what I believe in
But somehow
I will show the world
What's inside my heart
And be loved for who I am
Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me?
Why is my reflection
Someone I don't know?
Must I pretend that I'm
Someone else for all time?
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
There's a heart that must be
Free to fly
That burns with a need to know
The reason why
Why must we all conceal
What we think, how we feel?
Must there be a secret me
I'm forced to hide?
I won't pretend that I'm
Someone else for all time
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?"
(Reflection "Christina Aguilera")
As she sang, Merry and Pippin came over and each lay down on either side of her. Sam moved to sit in front of her, and even Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and Gimli seemed to have moved closer as well, though they did do a better job than the hobbits to pretend that they were not listening.
"That was awful pretty, Miss Jesse," Sam said with a smile, "Where did you learn that one?" "Thank you, Sam. I heard that song a few years ago. My sister owns what I guess you could call a tavern and a young woman came and sang there. This was one of the songs she sang. I always loved it, and I guess now it makes a bit more sense since I found out who I really am," Jesse said smiling down at the hobbits.
"Ahhh.. It is that way," Gandalf said pointing to the path that would take them to the left. The group quickly gathered their things and prepared to move on. "He's remembered," Merry exclaimed as he ran to catch up with the old wizard. "No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose," Gandalf explained to the hobbit, as he patted Merry on the back.
It took the group a little while to walk down the narrow passage way but as they neared the bottom it began to widen and the steps began to get easier to navigate. When the group had all reached the bottom of the stairs Gandalf spoke softly, "Let me risk a little more light." The light of his staff became brighter illuminating a giant cavern the likes of which Jesse had never seen before. Looking around herself she thought, 'Damn, Dailin, your ancestors sure new how to build.' "Behold the great realm of the Dwarf-city of Dwarrowdelf," Gandalf said interrupting her thoughts. Sam said it best, when he commented, "Well there's an eye opener, and no mistake."
Suddenly Gimli ran off towards a chamber. "Oh, shit," Jesse, said as she took off after the dwarf. "Gimli," Gandalf called as the rest of the group followed the dwarf and elleth toward the chamber. Stopping just inside the doors, Jesse saw Gimli crying over the tomb of his cousin, "No! Oh no! No!" Kneeling down next to him Jesse put her hand comfortingly on the dwarf's back and said, "I am so sorry Gimli," with that she, cried for her friend's loss, she never noticed the others entering the chamber until Boromir put his hand on Gimli's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Gandalf broke the silence that had descended when he read the carving on the top of the tomb, "Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria. He is dead then. It is as I feared." Looking around nervously Legolas spoke to Aragorn in a hushed voice, "We must move on. We cannot linger." Jesse could not have agreed with him more but she knew that they weren't going to be leaving the chamber soon enough.
Picking up an old tattered book from the floor next to what was probably a scribe's body, Gandalf began to read of the last days of the residence of the Mines of Moria, "They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. The drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A Shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming." Scared Pippin begins to back away, still holding the wizard's staff and hat. Suddenly a loud clanking sound followed by a horrendous crash was heard as scared hobbit backed into a skeleton perched precariously on the edge of a well, causing the skeleton and the bucket for the well to crash to the bottom.
Everyone stood perfectly still listening for any sounds that they had been discovered. After a few moments Gandalf walked to the hobbit and took back his hat and staff saying, "Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity." Jesse felt sorry for Pippin but she knew that there was no time to console the hobbit. The sound of a drumbeat rang out through the air, followed by a hideous laughter and screaming. "Frodo," Sam said excitedly, when he noticed that Sting was beginning to glow blue. Grabbing her bow and getting ready for a fight, Jesse heard Legolas exclaim disgustedly, "Orcs!"
As everyone prepared for battle Jesse yelled to the hobbits, "Stay close to Gandalf!" Boromir ran to the doors looking around the corner to see what they were up against, but he pulled back quickly as three arrows embedded in the door, barely missing his head. Closing the doors and shaking his head he commented dryly to Jesse, "They have a cave troll," as she helped him hold the doors shut while Legolas and Aragorn found large axes to wedge them shut. Gimli jumped onto his cousin's tomb, axe in hand and declared, "Let them come! There's one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws breath." "Let's keep it that way, shall we Gimli," Jesse said taking her position and aiming her bow at the doors.
When the orcs began to hack their way through the door it opened holes that allowed Jesse, Aragorn and Legolas to fire arrows into the enemy before they even fully made it into the room. Unfortunately the doors did not last long and the orcs burst in swarming around the room. It was all any of them could do to keep ahead of the orcs that came after them.
Then with a crash the cave troll entered the chamber, practically dragging the orcs that had a hold of its chains. At one point the troll even swung one of the orcs around like a weapon, trying to shake them off. Using the massive hammer in its hand it tried to flatten Sam but he ducked out of the way and ran between its giant legs, unfortunately he lost his sword in the process. Using what he had at hand he began to club orcs over the head with one of his frying pans, "I think, I'm getting the hang of this," he announced proudly to Jesse as she ran by him. "Way to go Sam! I knew you could do it," she said proudly as she pulled out her knives and began slashing and kicking her way through the mass of orcs blocking her path to the stairs. Running up the stairs as fast as she could she came to a landing and tried to take aim for the troll's chest, but just as the arrow was speeding toward its target, the troll flung back its arm and the arrow bounced harmlessly off of one of the massive metal cuffs at its wrists.
Frustrated she jumped from her spot, landing gracefully on the floor below. She quickly shouldered her bow in favor of her knives when more orcs began to converge on her position. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Legolas run across a chain that he had tricked the troll into getting caught. Once he was balanced on its shoulders he fired an arrow into its head but it had no affect. It only served to anger the creature even more.
Suddenly it saw Frodo on the landing where Jesse had been, and started to go after the hobbit. Seeing what the troll was doing Jesse shouted at, "Aragorn, it's going for Frodo," as she plunged one of her knives into the heart of an orc, she could do nothing to help the hobbit because she was surrounded. "Frodo," the ranger screamed as she made his way to the hobbit grabbing a long spear on the way. Jumping between the terrified hobbit and the troll Aragorn plunged the spear into the creature. When it reared back in pain, and made to grab for the spear, the force the troll used through Aragorn through the air. He landed heavily on a pile of rubble unconscious. Frodo tried to run to the ranger's side but the troll cornered him with the spear and drew back spearing the poor hobbit.
The group watched in horror as Frodo fell to the ground, unmoving. The sight sent the Fellowship into a mad fury. Merry and Pippin jumped from their places on the landing onto the troll's back and began to stab it with their little swords. "Legolas, aim for its open mouth. Hit it in the upper pallet. That will bring it down," Jesse instructed as she swept through the orcs that remained near her. Following Jesse's advice he aimed for the troll's mouth just as it screamed in pain from another attack by Pippin the only remaining hobbit on its back. It had been able to reach Merry and was dangling him precariously over the floor by one of his feet.
As the arrow hit its mark the troll began to stumble around finally falling face first into the floor, with a crash, throwing Merry and Pippin to the floor as well. Once the toll was down the Aragorn ran to Frodo's side saying, "Oh no." As he rolls the hobbit's body over the sound of Frodo's groans can be heard. "He's alive," Sam announces happily. As the ranger helps him to sit up, the hobbit assures everyone, "I'm alright. I'm not hurt." "You should be dead. That spear would have skewered a wild boar," Aragorn exclaimed in astonishment. "I think there's more to this hobbit than meets the eye," Gandalf comments with a knowing smile as he leans heavily on his staff. Frodo looks around at the faces of the Fellowship as he opens his outer shirt to reveal the mithril vest Gandalf had described. "Mithril! You are full of surprises, Master Baggins," Gimli exclaimed happily.
The sound of more orcs approaching breaks up the happy moment, for the tired group. "Quick! To the Bridge of Khazad-dûm," Gandalf orders, and the group flee from the room. Running down the long endless corridors of Dwarrowdelf, orcs begin to pour out of every crack and crevasse, quickly surrounding the small group. The group huddles together as the orcs begin to close in on them.
A glow becomes visible in the dark at the far end of the corridor, and then a deep rumbling roar begins. The orcs shriek and flee as the sound and light begins to get closer. Jesse sees Legolas raise his bow towards the glow, and she gently puts her hand on his and shakes her head no. "Arrows will not work, Legolas," she said her voice shaking a bit. She watched as realization comes over the ellon and his eyes grow huge, with fear. She knew there were few things that could truly strike fear into the heart of an elf but this was most definitely one of those things. Boromir, seeing the fear in Jesse and Legolas's eyes asked, "What is this new devilry?" Not taking his eyes of the advance of the creature, Gandalf spoke, his voice barely above a whisper, "A Balrog, a demon of the ancient world. The foe is beyond any of you. Run!"
The group never asked twice as they began to run as fast as their legs would allow, down the seemingly endless corridor. Finally an end came into view a door leading away. Boromir was the first one through, and luckily Legolas was right on his heels, because he would have fell to his death on a broken piece of stair had Legolas not caught him. Everyone began to run down the stairs that separated them from their goal as the Balrog began to get closer. "Gandalf," Aragorn yelled when the wizard did not follow the rest of the Fellowship. Shaking his head the wizard, replied, "Lead them on, Aragorn. The bridge is near," but the ranger refused to budge he ordered, "Do as I say! Swords are no more use here!"
They ran and ran down more and more stairs. It was beginning to seem as thought they would never reach the bridge. Suddenly they came upon a huge gap in the stairs. Legolas jumped over easily and called for Gandalf to jump. Jesse quickly followed, and was waiting when Boromir jumped over with Merry and Pippin in his arms. Aragorn tossed Sam over to a waiting Boromir, and then made to do the same for Gimli but the dwarf would have none of that saying with conviction, "Nobody tosses a Dwarf." Gimli made the incredible leap himself but when he got to the other side if Legolas had not grabbed him by his beard he would have fell into the chasm below, "Not the beard!"
No sooner had they gotten Gimli safely over the gap, than orc archers began to fire upon them from all directions. Jesse began to fire off shots covering everyone as the sound of the Balrog began to get closer causing the stairs that Aragorn and Frodo were stuck on to crumble even more, making the gap to far for them to even attempt to jump. Then suddenly a large bolder was came crashing from the ceiling into the stairs behind the stranded hobbit and ranger. Now they were cut off from both directions with the Balrog getting closer by every moment. "Lean forward," Aragorn said to the hobbit as the stairs began to wobble. As they leaned in the direction of the rest of the Fellowship the stairs they were perched on fell into the stairs in which the other were standing, allowing them to grab the ranger and hobbit and pull them to safety.
There was no time to relax for the tired group as the roars of the monster began to get even closer. They began to run again and finally the bridge came into view, stretching out in front of them was a narrow footbridge over a chasm so deep that Jesse could not see the bottom. Urging them on Gandalf ordered, "Over the bridge! Fly!" As the rest of the group began to run across the bridge the old wizard stopped in the center, ready to stand his ground and buy the rest of the group time to make their escape.
The Balrog made its appearance in a blaze of fire and smoke. "Gandalf," Frodo screamed as he watched on in horror. Jesse could only watch as Gandalf stood up to the creature and screamed, "You cannot pass!" She watched as the wizard raised his staff and chanted a spell, "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the falme of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you, falme of Udûn," with that his staff began to glow and he was surrounded by bubble of light, just as the Balrog tried to strike him with its whip of flame. The whip bounced off the bubble harmlessly. Gandalf raised his staff high into the air and yelled, "Go back to the shadow! You shall not pass," with that he thrust the staff down with all his might on to the bridge. Just as the creature stepped onto the bridge it crumbled under his weight and he fell into the bottomless chasm.
Sighing, the old wizard turned and began to walk towards the rest of the Fellowship. Out of nowhere the Balrog's whip came up and wrapped around his ankle pulling him over the edge. Gandalf grabbed on to the edge of the broken bridge but he could not pull himself up. As Boromir had to practically hold back a distraught screaming Frodo, the old wizard spoke the last words they would hear from Gandalf the Gray, "Fly, you fools," with that he let go of the bridge and fell.
Jesse could hear Frodo still screaming as Boromir carried him to safety but she could not move. Even as orc arrows fell around her she stood frozen in one spot. Aragorn too, was stock still, but when Boromir cried his name he came out of his daze and grabbed the shocked Jesse, and pulled her towards the stairs leading out of the mines.
Once the group broke out into the light of day they fell where they stood, tears of shock and pain falling freely. As Jesse looked around she saw Merry holding a sobbing Pippin, Sam sitting by himself crying, Boromir struggling to hold Gimli back, the dwarf wanting to back for the wizard, Legolas was staring off into the sky in complete shock and, Frodo had walked off tears streaming down his big blue eyes. Turning she looked at Aragorn, she could feel him doubting himself, she could feel his pain, but she could also feel his determination not to let Gandalf down. Walking over to Frodo, she picked up the hobbit and held him, as she would have Wyatt. Trying to offer as much comfort as she possibly could.
"Legolas. Get them up," Aragorn called as he walked to stand by Sam. Boromir looked shocked he could not understand what had gotten into Aragorn, "Give them a moment for pity's sake!" "By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlórien," the ranger tried to explain. "He is right Boromir. We have to go, once we reach the Golden Wood we will have the time we need to regroup and to grieve, but I know Gandalf would not want us to stay here and wait for the orcs to kill us. He would want us to go on," Jesse said with tears streaming down her cheeks, as she still clung to the hobbit in her arms. Jesse's words seemed to work as Boromir knelt down next to Merry and Pippin and helped them to stand up.