A/N: I apologise profusely for the long wait! I will throw myself on the ground for forgiveness. Although to be honest I did say on my profile that I had writer's block so if you didn't read that then you can't really blame me for not trying. Epic chapter coming up here, length and content.

Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or anything else you may recognise in this story. I do however own Ammy and the scenarios I put her in. If I owned LOTR I would not be in college trying to become a musician...

"Talking"
'Ammy dragon talk'
"Quotations."
'Balrog talk'

Chapter 13

Knowing

Merry watched Ammy's hair with great interest. He had relieved Frodo of the massive length of hair as his smaller friend was beginning to tire holding both Ammy's hair and Legolas's bow. Upon noticing that Frodo was slowing down and beginning to pull on the sleeping woman's head Merry had rushed up and taken the silky threads.

Each individual strand had what appeared to be droplets of fire running down its length. Upon reaching the end of the hair it burned for a few seconds and then puffed out of existence, only to reappear at the top of Ammy's head. Obviously Merry was not able to watch the flame's progress completely as Ammy's hair was bundled up in his arms and would be rather tangled when she eventually woke. Despite the possibility of being set on fire Meriadoc found Amaterasu's hair beautiful and alluring. When she was human it was pure and fine, like spider's silk but in this form it seemed sturdier and the flames pouring down filled him with a sense of ease.

They had been walking for over an hour and night had fallen completely but the Fellowship was making steady progress because of Ammy's hair. The fire on her hair was providing enough light that every member of their troop could see and the light the flames exuded touched each individual.

Legolas found that his troubles were lessened and he wasn't even feeling slightly tired from carrying the petite but fully grown woman. Sam and Bill found themselves heartened once more and both had regained their normal cheerful dispositions. Gimli had fully recovered from the trauma of flying and was now regaling an equally cheerful Pippin with the myths and legends that surrounded the Mines of Moria. Despite being very weary and feeling the ring growing heavier on his soul Frodo felt some of his worries ease off when the dragon fire touched his skin. For Aragorn the light seemed to brighten the path and gave him hope.

By the time Ammy awoke it was but a few minutes before dawn. The Group had traveled deep into the caverns and tunnels of the mines and were nearly three-quarters of the way through. They had managed to stop for a few hours rest and of course to have two meals, courtesy of the Hobbits.
Ammy woke to find herself cradled in the arms of Boromir, whom despite the quick pace was trying to walk as smoothly as possible.

It took the woman a few minutes to wake properly and once she had she began to blush a deep red.

"Umm, Boromir? You can put me down now." She said timidly and let a small shriek out as the man nearly dropped her in astonishment. Luckily he caught her before she could hit the floor and gently lowered his arm until her feet were on the floor but kept his other round her back.

Ammy tottered unsteadily on her bare feet. The ground at first felt as if it were shifting and she was grateful for the Gondorian's steady hand. Gradually her sense of balance returned and she was quite happy to be on two feet once again.

"Are you feeling better Lady Ama? You have been asleep for several hours." Boromir asked.

"Much better thank you Boromir. I'm sorry you had to carry me. I must have been rather cumbersome." Saying that Ammy stretched out her wings which had been pressed tight against her back for the last few hours.

Despite the strenuous flying she had done earlier that day, her muscles and wings felt less sore and looser, as if the exercise had been days ago rather than mere hours.

"It was no trouble Lady. Especially after all you have done for us." Boromir bowed to Ammy and offered her a gentle smile. "We should try and keep up with the others milady. I do not fancy getting lost down here. The mines are dark and I have no Dwarf senses to lead me out."

Amaterasu smiled nervously at Boromir and he grasped her arm carefully. Sensing no animosity Ammy let herself be drug along behind Boromir as the Gondorian hastened to catch up with their companions.

"Lady Ama has awoken." Legolas spoke from near the front of the group and Frodo over heard him.

The small Hobbit turned around anxiously and saw that the elf was indeed telling the truth and Ammy and Boromir hurried up to them out of the darkness. Ammy's face had regained its colour and whilst she was still wobbly on her legs she was looking a lot healthier than a few hours prior and Frodo let out a sigh of relief. As the two finally caught up with the stationary group a relieved look appeared on everyone's faces.

Ammy's sleep had appeared fairly natural at first, the sleep of the exhausted, but after a few hours rest she had tensed up and a disconcerted look had risen on her face. Her sleep had been tense from that point on and even when they had stopped for their second break (and meal) she had not relaxed any. Aragorn and Boromir had been taking it in turns to carry the sleeping woman and at one point the Ranger saw her crying, large tears dripping down her cheeks and rolling into her hair where they were consumed by the flames.

Sam rummaged around in his pack which he had taken off and placed on the floor on seeing that Lady Ama was awake. The Hobbit had deliberately made too much food during their second meal and after fending Pippin and Gimli off it had used the meat to make a sandwich for the woman. A few meagre slices of bread with thick meat wrapped in them. Unfortunately the Hobbit had been lacking for anything decent and so this would have to do for the mysterious woman.
Letting out a small cry of success Sam held aloft the wrapped sandwich which had some paper wrapped tightly around it. Like a sniffer dog Pippin was soon bouncing round Sam's heels begging for the food with wide eyes.

"It ain't for you Took!" Sam cried indignantly. "It's for the Lady Ama. She hasn't eaten in nearly a day now, and I thought she'd probably be hungry by now. So stop being so greedy!"

Blushing furiously red Samwise held up the packet to Ammy who looked at him with surprise.

Sam had never appeared as uncomfortable as Boromir with her presence and had enjoyed seeing each new form she took but the Hobbit had always given off this sense of annoyance whenever she was with Frodo. Ammy knelt down next to Sam and took the proffered food. She opened up the wrapping, careful to keep the contents inside, and saw the effort the Hobbit had gone to. The bread was the least stale bits of the loaf they had left (Elvish bread lasted longer than human bread, but still began to taste foul after a while) some large pieces of meat and she could smell that he had used some herbs in the sandwich too: Rosemary and possibly Basil. Holding the sandwich in one hand Ammy lent forward and embraced the little Hobbit tightly with her free arm.

Sam let out an "eep" of surprise and the proceeded to turn a deeper rouge colour than he already was. Ammy eventually released him and the Hobbit fumbled to explain himself.

"I thought you'd be tired an' all after carrying us all through the snowstorm and the wind, and this greedy lot would'na saved you much so I thought it best for me to make something for when you woke. I'm just glad you woke afore you turned back into a dragon 'cause I don't think this tiny sandwich would'a filled a dragon." Sam mumbled, whilst wringing his hands in his shirt.

Ammy smiled at the Hobbit's adorable bashfulness and decided to reward him further.

"Thank you very much Sam. I am starving and I'm glad one of you men thought to save me something."

Using her free hand Ammy brushed the brown and copper curls from Sam's forehead and placed a soft kiss there. Gasps of surprise filled the air and Legolas looked on amusedly. Pippin and Merry looked rather jealous and a soft smile had appeared on Frodo's face. The first smile the dark-haired Hobbit had given since they left the mountainside. The burden on the Halfling was growing stronger and he was feeling more and more regret the further his friend's were brought near to danger.

"Come my friends. We cannot linger long here. There is great evil here and I wish to go through the mines as quickly as possible."Gandalf spoke from near the front of the group and Legolas could see that the wizards grip on his staff was much tighter and his knuckles were white. Something that scared Mithrandir must be truly frightening...

Ammy ate her sandwich gratefully. She had not noticed the discomfort in her belly but after consideration she realised she had not eaten in nearly a day. They had spent a day going up the mountain and when she flew them off the mountain the others had all had chances to eat whilst catching a free ride.

Luckily Ammy finished her sandwich just before she felt the tingling sensation of the change.

"Wait!" She cried out from the back of the group. "I need to stop. You carry on and I'll catch you up."

"Hmm, we will not leave you unprotected. Legolas, will you remain here whilst Ammy transforms?" Gandalf rested a palm on the elf's shoulder. "Try and find out what Campfer told her, if she'll speak to you of it. Those dreams she was having were not induced by her mind and I reckon the tree told her something." He whispered into Legolas's ear and the elf nodded.

The rest of the group continued on, leaving the woman and the elf standing in the dim light, with a mere few metres between them. Trusting the elf not to peek, Ammy began unwinding the bandages wrapped around her top half. Someone had braided her hair once again and so her task was made much easier. Feeling the flames coming on much quicker Ammy hastily untied the string that held her trousers up and they fell to the ground.

After throwing the bandages and trousers aside Ammy crouched low to the ground, the change coming quickly, her body was consumed with the same fires as the times before only this time the fires didn't cause sharp pain, instead they were soothing and felt like the fire droplets that were in her mane.

The transformation was soon over and where the woman had crouched the dragoness stood, neck high and proud, wings spread wide, tail flicking back and forth lazily and her teeth bared in a toothy smile. For her the process was not unfamiliar but Legolas had watched in amazement.

Gold light had wrapped itself round her body, appearing from thin air or from within Amaterasu herself the elf did not know and as soon as it had encased her entire form the transformation had begun.
Starting from her fingertips and toenails the transformation spread up her body, scales appearing over her entire frame and then she appeared to be on fire! Flames rippled and billowed across her small flame growing larger and larger up into the heights of the cavernous space they were in, mounting in rolling banks of fire until Legolas thought no mortal or immortal could bear to look at them. Then the flames rolled down from Ammy's head: revealing the wedge like skull with her gold eyes gleaming, teeth bared sharply in a growl, down her neck, back, legs and finally burning down to her tail and flaring once more until there was naught left.

Ammy chuckled at the wondrous look on Legolas's face. She doubted many things still surprised or enchanted the elf, he had after all been living for many years.

'I shall forgive you for peeking, Legolas. The look on your face tells me my modesty was not compromised in anyway.' She chuckled lowly as he slowly came back to his senses. The elf grinned dazedly up at her.

"That, was one of the most wondrous sights I have had the fortune to see. I thought there was little beauty and mystery left in Middle Earth but you have proved me wrong Lady Ama. I shall collect your clothes, you may wish to transform into a more...agile size? I do not think your dragon form will be able to fit into all the caverns we must enter."

'You are right. I suppose I'm just lucky this space was so large.' Ammy thought to him before she closed her eyes and envisioned her tigress form. The transformation between the two forms was a lot quicker and smoother than the times before and soon Ammy found herself on all fours and purring.

"Was it you who braided my hair Legolas?" Ammy asked as she stretched in a very feline way: front legs stretched out with toes spread with her rear end much higher. A cat-like yawn stretched her mouth and as she stretched Ammy licked her incisors, she could still taste the sandwich Sam had made for her.

"Aye, it was Ammy. Whilst your hair is beautiful, it is quite cumbersome. I recall Frodo nearly tripped over it several times and as soon as we stopped by the entrance to the mines I braided it for ease of movement." Legolas replied as they set off in the direction of the Fellowship. They could still see the light emitted from Gandalf's staff but it was a way off.

"Thank you. I hope the flames didn't burn you? I didn't think they would, after all you, Gimli and Gandalf all sat in my mane. Why did you have to stop at the entrance? And come to think of it, how come we have yet to see any other dwarves?" Ammy looked around as far as she could see in the darkness.

"Gandalf, forgot the password..." Legolas left his statement to hang in the air and was rewarded when Ammy let out chuffing laughs.
"It was not really a password, more a riddle. Frodo eventually solved it and we entered the Mines. Once we were in however we sort of wished we weren't. There were corpses everywhere. Dwarves and orcs mixed together and they had lain there for many years."

Ammy recoiled at the thought of corpses. She was glad she had been unconscious at that point.

"We turned to leave but there was a monster in the lake which tried to consume Frodo. We fought it and rescued the Hobbit but the only safe path left to us was through the mines. The creature in the lake brought the entrance down in its excitement and anger and so here we are. But tell me Ammy, what did you dream?"

The tigress remained silent for a moment pacing quietly beside the elf. Her paws landed softly on the hard stone floor and the only sound the pair could hear was the sound of their breathing and rocks falling in distant caverns.

"I had another lesson with Campfer. He told me more of my people's history. And then the Three Fates appeared." Her voice was quiet and low, burdened with sorrow.

"What did the Fates tell you Lady Ama?"

"Atropos, the one who decides how people die and the one who ends people's lives told me that time was running out for one of the Fellowship. And that I would not be able to do anything, nor would any of you... She didn't tell me who though.
Lachesis told me that my thread is getting longer, but it is beginning to split. Normally humans only have one or two splits per major event in their lives, but I currently have six. Three end in disaster, which will mean I return back to my entrance to this world, but you will all have forgotten me.
If I continue choosing paths which end in ruin then the Three Fates are bound by some rule to keep returning me until I succeed. But I don't want to have to keep meeting you all for the first time. I would know you, but you would not know me and the trust we have built would be lost and everyone would fear and hate me.
If I choose the right paths then my future is unknown at this time. The threads wind and connect with new people but Lachesis cannot yet see whether these threads will end in triumph or not."

The air between the two was heavy with untold sorrow. Legolas could tell there was something else Ammy was keeping from him, but with her grievous news he did not wish to push her further.

"I think, Amaterasu, we will have to wait and see. You are burdened as heavily if not more so than Frodo. Frodo carries the burden of the Ring and thus the lives of us all, but you...You will know more than we know, see more than we can see and always be slightly different. But it is not a bad thing as long as you don't allow it to consume you. Remember, knowledge is power and it can sometimes corrupt. Don't allow your feelings to change what must be. The Fates would not have told you of this death unless it was necessary. I will stand behind you and Frodo no matter what may happen."

The two remained silent as they hastened their footsteps and caught up with the Fellowship. Legolas watched amazed at Ammy's resilience for as they came in sight of the group her entire posture changed: she went from weary, depressed with her head and tail hanging low in defeat to elegant, poised and almost playful. A gleam appeared in her golden eyes and Legolas watched as she pounced on Boromir.

"Thank you again Boromir for carrying me. Aren't you glad I was human and not tigress?!" She teased the man and was rewarded with a small deep chuckle.

"You frighten me not Lady Ama. Now kindly remove your paws from my shoulders, and stop breathing in my hair." Ammy was pleased that the Gondorian taunted her back and eager to keep the comradely feeling they had established, backed away.

She sidled up to Aragorn, brushing her head, neck and body along his thigh and was reduced to jelly in his hands when his right hand delved into her fur and scratched along the arch of her spine. The tigress wound herself around the tall man and then pranced away from him to bowl into the Hobbits, not hard enough to knock them over but enough to make them giggle at her kitten-like manner.

The cheery mood she managed to establish did not last for long and soon the group found themselves preparing for battle. Gimli had run off into a chamber through which daylight was creeping in and they had discovered the tomb of his cousin Balin. Pippin's curiousity definitely killed the cat and satisfaction would not be bringing it back. In fact Ammy was certain that they would all be lucky to escape, boxed in as they were, their only chance of escape through the door which was barricaded and orcs were trying to force their way in.

The flimsy, rotted door was not strong enough to keep the hordes away and soon the hideous creatures were clambering into the room. Legolas was shooting down orcs and swinging knives and his bow at them, taking down several in mere seconds. Aragorn and Boromir were also holding their own quite well and Gimli was almost incandescent with rage, his axe cleaving heads and slitting bellies like a knife through butter.

Ammy stayed near the Hobbits with Gandalf but soon there were too many orcs in the room to remain away from the fighting. She leapt into battle, fur bristling, claws out and teeth bared. The Hobbits and Gandalf were swinging their swords, jabbing and cutting and Ammy sort of wished she was lucky enough to have a blade. Instead, she had resorted to dodging her enemies and then pouncing, slamming them hard enough into the ground that they were knocked.

As the battle carried on she began to feel more at ease in her tigress form until her senses were sharpened she could almost feel the pulse in the necks of the orcs. She grabbed hold of one orc with her powerful jaws and threw it until it landed on its back, then without giving it a second to recover she bit down with her incisors and ripped out its pulse.

Amaterasu spat out the orc flesh and then jumped back into the fray, ripping out the necks of orcs and clawing at them until her fur was stained with flecks of black blood. Some orcs began to back away in fright at the savage vision she presented: Jaws dripping with black blood, claws coated in the foul substance, her paws and muzzle smeared with it and her gold eyes burning in the white and black-stained face, some of the foul creatures turned and ran.

Seconds passed, then minutes and there seemed to be no end to the foul creatures. Then Ammy began to wish only orcs remained as she clung onto the back of a cave troll trying to tear it away from Sam. The frightened Hobbit had been unfortunate enough to be the first victim the troll saw and despite his diminutive size Sam had been unable to evade the larger beast.

Boromir and Aragorn had hold of the chain around its neck and were pulling it away from Sam, but to add to its grief Ammy leapt onto its back and began clawing at its neck and back. Her ears were pressed flat against her scalp in her fury and soon the beast was too distracted to continue pursuing Sam. Instead it reached over its head for Ammy and grabbed her round the waist, throwing her off.

She landed on all four paws, unharmed but was soon dodging orc blades. Looking up she saw Boromir hit the wall and then fall dazedly shaking his head.

"Boromir!" Ammy screamed and then she leapt over the head of her opponent to crash into the orc looming over the fallen man. Her body crashed into the orc and she quickly sank her teeth into his neck but not before the orc gave a parting blow down her side.

Ammy snarled in pain as the blade managed to slice down her side but had little time to recover, orcs descending on her. She continued snarling with her ears pressed flat against her scalp once more the orcs had encircled her and were jabbing at her with their swords, none of them brave enough to come near her to deal a finishing blow.

Instead they were killed when the agitated cave troll swung his club and plastered them on a wall. Ammy sneered at the splattered orc and turned her attention back to the remaining orcs.

During her fight with the orcs, the cave troll had gone after Frodo and the little Hobbit now lay still in the rubble of a wall. The orcs had been defeated and instead the Fellowship were focusing their attacks on the large beast.

Merry and Pippin were stabbing it repeatedly with their swords and in its anger it grabbed Merry and held him upside down. Gimli dived in and out slashing at the troll's legs. Ammy could sense that Frodo was still alive, her heightened senses could hear his breathing and her incisors could sense his pulse but she was alive with fury and leapt at the beast, landing on its back next to Pippin and tearing at its flesh with her claws and teeth.

Too badly wounded the beast eventually stumbled to a halt, confusedly touching its wounds and sensing pain. Pippin reared up and plunged his sword in one final time. The cave troll reared back and stumbled and then there was an arrow piercing its skull. Sensing the troll's dying pulse, Ammy grasped the back of Pippin's clothes and leapt off, landing on a ledge safely with the Hobbit.

The Fellowship watched as the troll stumbled some more but soon it collapsed and lay defeated. Once the troll was downed the Fellowship hurried to where Frodo and Aragorn lay. The Ranger by now had regained consciousness and crawled over to Frodo. Ammy remained on the ledge, her tail flicking angrily back and forth. The bloodlust was still on her and she fought to remain in control and not rip out the pulses of her companions.

Aragorn turned Frodo over and the Hobbit groaned and clutched his side. The Fellowship looked on in relief and amazement as he revealed the mithril armour Bilbo had given him back in Rivendell. There was no time for rest however as orc cries echoed in through the destroyed doorway and the Fellowship leapt through the hole in the wall, which conveniently let out into another grand hallway. The group ran as fast they could, but Frodo was still slightly winded from the spear driving into him and the other Hobbits were not used to battle. Coming up beside Frodo and Sam the two slowest, Ammy slowed her pace until she was running at the same speed as the Hobbits.

"Get on!" She cried and Frodo reached for her neck and grabbed hold. He swung himself onto her back and she hissed when his left leg hit her wound. He held out his hand for Sam who grabbed hold and then leapt onto the tigress' back. Quickly getting used to her load Ammy quickened her pace until she was ahead of Gandalf.

For some reason this cavern was well lit, unlike the one in which she had transformed and Ammy could see, hear and smell orcs. They were pouring through doorways, cracks in the floor, walls and ceiling and soon the group were surrounded. She skid to a halt but did not allow Frodo or Sam off her back, instead she paced round the circle the group had made and snarled at the orcs.

The foul creatures jabbed their swords and spears and looked on hungrily at the group. Sensing particular animosity from one ugly specimen with bulging, slit-pupilled eyes Ammy snarled at him and swiped a paw out, catching the creature and raking four long claw marks down its arm.
Seeing the demonic cat injure one of their own the orcs backed away but continued jabbing their blades towards the group.

Preparing for a battle the Fellowship were shocked when a loud growl echoed through the hall. The orcs looked round in fear and on seeing an orange light approaching they began clamouring and screaming, running and climbing back into the holes from whence they came. The ugly creatures were quick in their retreat and Gimli let out a triumphant laugh. The tension was still high however and Ammy felt her ears press down against her scalp in terror and her body retreated away from the source in fear without her permission. More growls echoed in the cavernous space and Ammy's eyes widened in terror. She knew she was not the only one affected as each of the group looked towards the source of the noise with wide eyes and shallow breaths. Boromir whispered to Gandalf, fear catching his breath in his throat.

"What is this new devilry?"

"A Balrog." Gandalf replied. "A demon of the ancient world." More rumbling growls rang and Ammy could feel her fight or flight survival instincts kicking in.
"This foe is beyond any of you, RUN!" Gandalf cried and sped away towards the Bridge of Khazad Dum.

Ammy ran alongside Gandalf, her pupils almost dilated in terror. They soon came to a flight of stairs and Boromir nearly tumbled over the edge, luckily he was caught by Legolas and they continued their retreat. Soon they reached a part of the stairs where the stone had been destroyed and a large gap was left in its place. Once Ammy had stopped Frodo and Sam slipped off her back and Frodo rested a hand in Ammy's fur on her shoulder. He did not receive the comfort he was seeking however as every muscle of the tigress' body was shaking.

The fight-or-flight mode was trying to consume her animal body and only sheer will power was stopping Amaterasu from abandoning her friends. That and the warning from Atropos was ringing in her head.
"One will die soon. One of the members of your Fellowship. And there will be nothing you can do for him." What scared her most however was not this statement but Lachesis' continuing sentence
"And you will run and run and then be consumed with darkness. Where you will be forced to make a choice; an unwilling choice presented to you by the flames in the darkness."

Recalling these words Ammy was distracted enough to not notice the Fellowship jumping the gap until only Aragorn, Frodo and herself remained. The stairs crumbled beneath their feet and Aragorn threw Frodo further back up the stairs. Ammy retreated too and felt the Hobbit sink both hands into her fur for comfort.

Just when it looked like Ammy would have to transform into dragon to get them to safety a large rock from the ceiling fell down and crashed through the stairs behind them, leaving them on a precarious wedge or stone. The eon old stone crumbled and cracked, teetering on a point and the trio moved back and then forward to encourage the rocky stairs to fall forward.

Luckily Aragorn's plan worked and the two males leapt into the arms of Legolas and Boromir. Amaterasu jumped over the heads of all the Fellowship to land several steps below and used the power of her jump to propel her forward down the stairs. She soon was ahead of the group and entering through a doorway into yet another cavernous hall.

Flames licked up the sides of the walls and blocked several flights of stairs and doorways. Ammy crouched close to the ground and snarled angrily. The flames were different to her dragon flames. These felt cruel, malevolent and vicious. As if all warmth and light had been sucked from them leaving only harsh pain and fire behind. The Fellowship entered the door behind her and Gandalf gestured the group on towards the bridge. He and Ammy remained to face their foe and as they watched a creature as black as the deepest cave rose from the flames. It roared a challenge in Gandalf's face and the wizard turned and ran towards the other members of the Fellowship.

The Balrog began to walk after them, each step covering ground quicker and quicker. Ammy ran along beside it and sought out the dragon. Soon she too was engulfed with fire but her fire did not burn like the Balrog's and instead her white fire repelled the sickly orange flames of the creature of darkness.

Amaterasu kept pace with the fell creature and just as it was about to reach out a hand for Gandalf she slammed her entire body weight into it. So intent on its human prey the Balrog had failed to notice her presence and so crashed into a wall.
The Fellowship continued on to the Bridge and began to cross, none of them looking behind in case the creature caught them. The men and the Hobbits soon reached the other side, with Legolas close behind and as they turned around they saw Ammy engaged in battle with the Balrog.

Her white form glowed against the blackness of the Balrog and whilst the two creatures fought, their flames seemed to do battle also: the fire in Ammy's mane was alight and twisting and every time the Balrog sought to grasp the dragon round the neck the silver droplets coursed over its hand causing it to let go. Amaterasu although big, was smaller than the demon and had lost the element of surprise. She reared up on her back legs and darted her neck and head towards the black devil hoping to force it back and away from her friends. As she was fighting the creature she could hear someone trying to invade her mind and all of a sudden a harsh, cruel voice that sounded centuries old echoed in her head.

'One of your kind yet lives. Tell me how did you escape the destruction of your people?' It laughed cruelly in her head and Ammy shook her large head as if to shake it from her mind.

'That will not work little one. I am far older and more powerful than you. Now tell me how you survived. It has been many centuries since I have seen one of your people. The first was when the war began between Sauron and the elves...the last time was when Men and Elves formed their alliance. Some of your people fled to hide away in these caverns and caves and wait for Sauron to be destroyed they crept down and down, further into the darkness and became weak. I slew them all.'

Ammy's eyes widened in horror as she realised the Balrog was speaking in her head. Suddenly images were thrust into her head of other creatures battling the Balrog in the darkness, they too seemed to glow with the same pure flame as she however theirs was dimmer and weaker than Ammy's and they soon fell under the Balrog's power.

'For millennia I hid here. Biding and waiting. The taste of your brethren fed me through the centuries. For when they fled here some of them remained pure and strong despite the lack of light. Then the Dwarves woke me when they dug too deep and I feasted upon them and their sorrow. The orcs fear me and I feasted upon their fear for five hundred years, until you and your friends arrived little one. Did you know, your people are the purest next to the elves? And your purity can either feed or destroy a dark creature. That is why your people were slain. Now I shall slay you and feast upon your innocence and purity!'

Amaterasu let out a shriek as the Balrog grasped her by a wing and attempted to snap the bones. She lunged forward, angered by the destruction of the Ame-no-Mihashira but also propelled by the fury and pain of Izanami who remained locked in the back of her mind. The ancient Ame-no-Mihashira was full of grief and pain which echoed through the cavern in which Ammy had trapped her and soon Amaterasu could feel it consuming her.

Distracted by her and Izanami's feelings Ammy was unaware as the Balrog picked her up and threw her across the bridge. The dragon screeched as she slammed into the wall and then fell onto the ground.

The Fellowship had watched the battle between the two creatures in horror and had retreated back up the stairs when the Balrog and Ammy's flames had begun to creep towards them over the crevice. Gandalf remained on the bridge, encircled in white light and flame watching the battling creatures. He winced when Ammy was thrown and looked back over his shoulder to see her shrinking back down into tigress form. She got up and shook her head groggily but before she could transform again, Gandalf faced down the Balrog.

The Fellowship watched in horror as the small wizard challenged the creature which had brought down Amaterasu.

"You cannot pass!" The wizard shouted his face set with resolve. Ammy shook her head to try and relieve the ringing in her ears and to force Izanami back into her prison.

"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun!" Gandalf raised his staff, the crystal in the top growing brighter and brighter until it's light reached Ammy also. Once the light from the crystal reached her Ammy felt Izanami thrown back into her mind and she managed to regain control of her body and thoughts. Still groggy from being thrown against the wall Ammy did not protest when Boromir and Aragorn began to herd her up the stairs towards the Hobbits.

A battle ensued between the wizard and Durin's Bane. Ammy watched dazedly as history repeated itself with one creature of light fighting this evil creation. The creature placed one giant foot on the bridge and it began to crack.

"You shall not pass!" Gandalf cried and stamped his staff down on the bridge. Again the Balrog came forward and the bridge crumbled under its weight. As the creature of fire and shadow tumbled down the crevice the Fellowship let out a sigh of relief only to cry out as Gandalf was pulled from his stance and clung on with both hands to the crumbling rock.

"Gandalf!" Frodo cried as he tried to reach the wizard but was held back by Boromir. The small hands grasped and pulled at Boromir's arm attempting to dislodge the larger man but to no avail. Ammy's head finally cleared enough that she could see and hear properly.

"Fly, you fools!" Gandalf said desperately clinging onto the rock and then, he let go.

"Noooo!" Frodo and Ammy screamed and Aragorn stared in disbelief. Boromir heaved the struggling Hobbit up into his arms and ran up the stairs towards the exit.

"Aragorn! Ammy!" Boromir shouted and then turned and ran through the carved doorway back into the light of day.

Aragorn turned and followed, looking back of his shoulder, ducking arrows from orcs. As he went past Ammy he attempted to grab her but was fended off when she let out a snarl.

The tigress stood at the edge and stared down the dark depths of the canyon into which Gandalf and the Balrog had fallen.

Just before it fell out of sight the Balrog had touched her mind and spoken one last time.

'Run little one. Run from the creatures that will consume you and don't stop.'

It's evil laughter still rang in her head but Ammy turned and clambered up the stairs after her friends, the malicious sound seeming to chase her up and out into the light and into her very soul...

A/N: Phew. Epic chapter. Didn't think it would turn out this long, if I'm honest. I sat down with an idea and then five hours later here we are. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. You're lucky, I almost split it into two about halfway through. After the battle in Balin's tomb? But then the words kept flowing and Ammy kept running around in my head. She's already got the next chapter sorted out.
We're probably not gonna dwell too much in Lorien as I want to hurry up and get to The Two Towers arc, which is where the first idea sprang up for this story!
Now for the reviews. I think I replied to most of you personally to tell you to bear with me, but I thought I'd thank you all again here.

REVIEWS:

superkiran – I'm glad you like Ammy's dragon form. I hope this chapter satisfied for that. You will see it again in later chapters!
Jovie Black- Thank you for sticking with me! I'm sorry it's so late!
peacewithinchaos- Thanks for joining! The flaming hair was a spontaneous addition. My first draft Ammy's hair was only on fire when she was dragon but then she popped into my head with dragon wings and flaming hair! Glad you like it, it's one of my favourite surprises!
Memo (9/1/12)- So many people referring to it as a book! I hope I continue to please well enough for it to remain so.
Shannon the Original- I thought I may as well make Ammy massive, well massive enough to be able to carry 4 plump Hobbits, two men (one in armour), an elf, a dwarf (in full battle armour), a wizard and a pony. Otherwise it would have taken them ages to get off the mountain...
IdrilSilmarwenEamaneLuinwe- Wooo! Team Arammy! ... I still don't know yet what the pairing will be... I like both :'( Legolas/Ammy and Aragorn/Ammy...I don't have to do a pairing I know but I feel that Ammy is destined to be with someone from Middle Earth. Sigh.
watergoddesskasey- THANK YOU! :D
Goldenfur97 – I hope this update can make your day and you don't mind the long wait.
daughterofthering- I love when people tell me that my work makes them think of music! Personally I was hearing "If you were flying" and "Passing the Flame" from the Eragon Soundtrack when I wrote the flying sequence! Go check them out if you don't know them already.
faye50free – I hope the small Boromir interaction was enough. I can't say more about Boromir without giving away parts of the story. There will be more interaction between Boromir and Ammy though. Promise!
dandapanda- Sorry I didn't update soon... Hope this chapter makes up for it though.
MyRawrIsSoft- THANK YOU SO MUCH! I know I replied to your questions personally but I re-read your review and thought wow, you complimented the story and my writing style and I know authors don't often get their style complimented. I was aiming for a mix of descriptive and straight writing. For me Tolkien is amazing to read because there is soo much description but at the same time there is so much that by the time you reach another chapter you have forgotten half of it! Hope you enjoy this update! And thank you once again. Really, thanks.
Emzy2k11- I'm sorry it's not soon but hope you enjoyed the update.. and I hope this answers your question about the Balrog.
Awesome (9/11/12)- Another Aragorn/Ammy shipper. Welcome! Afraid you'll have to wait and see about the pairing though.
DragonBlade1000- Hello my constant reviewer. I'm glad you PM cause it makes me think about writing again! Hope this update doesn't disappoint.
rednightwolf- I will always continue this story. It's my baby (metaphorical baby) and I don't want to abandon it. Besides every time I think I'm stuck Ammy pops back in my head and tells me to get on with it! :D
TyntylaGirl- Welcoma Amolas fan. Thanks for reviewing, hope you continue to read and anticipate the pairing.
ImATree (10/2/12)- Arammy fan welcome. (Love your name by the way) You'll have to wait and see for the pairing I'm afraid. Ammy doesn't know what she wants and neither do I.
chibivampire93- I totally understand what you mean about waiting. I am sorry for the wait for this chapter. I used to hate waiting for new stories to update but I ran out of really good ones to read that were completed so I have now over 100 on alerts... Hope this was worth the wait and I'm glad you consider my story good enough to be patient for.

Again thank you for all the support. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd hit 200 reviews! Let's see if we can get it to 250?

Let me know your thoughts and feelings, I think this is one of my best chapters to date.

Ryua