Chapter 8

Shadow and Flame

We had been in Moria for almost 2 days. Legolas never let go of my hand. We soon came to 3 doorways. Gandalf stopped.

"I have no memory of this place." He said.

We all sat down and waited while Gandalf thought. I stood with Legolas. I heard the hobbits start talking.

"Merry?" Pippin whispered.

"What?"

"I'm hungry." He said.

I smiled but then I saw something. The darkness of the mines faded and I saw a small boy come running into view. He had dark hair and blue eyes. He looked at me and smiled.

"Le melon Naneth." He said.

I gasped and then he disappeared. I decided to keep what I had seen to myself. I saw Legolas looking at me and I shrugged. Gandalf and Frodo were talking. The Gandalf spoke out loud.

"Ah! It's that way." He said.

"He's remembered!" Merry said.

We all followed him the third doorway.

"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here. When in doubt Meriadoc….always follow your nose." Gandalf said.

I smiled and Legolas took my hand once more. I didn't know if I was going to be able to tell Legolas what I had seen. What would he think?

"Let me risk a little more light." Gandalf said.

I was amazed at the sight before me. No it was no forest of the elves but a kingdom of the dwarves! It was beautiful and magnificent.

"Behold…the great realm and dwarf city of Dwarrowdwelf." Gandalf said.

"Well there's an eye opener and no mistake." Sam said.

We were all amazed. Even Legolas was awed by the wonders of Moria. The books had never said anything about this. However Gimli then ran off into a room.

"Gimli!" Gandalf called.

We all ran after him. However the sight we came upon was not something anyone wished to see. Gimli was on his knees weeping.

"Here lies Balin son of Hundin Lord of Moria. He is dead then." Gandalf said.

I sighed and put my hand on Gimli's shoulder. Gandalf found and old book of records. He picked it up gently but even as he did pages fell out. He opened it to the last page.

"We must move on. We cannot linger." Legolas said to my father.

"They have taken the bridge, and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out, drums in the deep. We cannot get out…they are coming." Gandalf read.

Suddenly we heard a loud noise and turned to see that a skeleton in armor was falling into a well. It was making very loud noises that echoed through the mines. We all stood silently. Gandalf then slammed the book closed angrily.

"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" Gandalf said.

Pippin looked at the ground ashamed. Then we heard it. We heard the drums. Then we heard noises from the other creatures.

"Orcs!" Legolas said.

Boromir ran to the door and looked around but I heard the goblins fire arrows and I quickly pulled him back as the arrows hit the door. I looked at him and nodded. Then we closed the doors. We also heard a cave troll.

"They have a cave troll." Boromir said sarcastically.

I shook my head and we started to barricade the doors.

"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" My father said.

The hobbits did as they were told. He looked at me.

"~Stay behind Gandalf!~" He said.

However I shook my head. I ran forward. Soon the orcs broke through and we all started to fight. I kept a close eye on Frodo and the other hobbits. However soon the orcs brought in a cave troll. I looked at it with wide eyes.

I jumped out of the way as it tried to hit me. Legolas shot it to distract it from me. It then turned towards him. I ran off and tried to find Frodo. However I saw Legolas dodging the chain that the troll was waving around.

"LEGOLAS!" I screamed.

He walked across the chin and shot the toll in the head. He then jumped down and I ran to him. We fought side by side. Then I heard my father.

"FRODO!" He said.

I turned and saw the cave troll cornering Merry, Pippin and Frodo. I ran forward and climbed up to them. I pulled Merry and Pippin away and then started to try and distract the troll. However my father jumped in front Frodo and I and stabbed the toll with a spear. However the troll slammed him against the wall. I screamed and Fordo and I ran to him.

"ADA! Wake up!" I said.

The troll grabbed Frodo and stabbed him. I had no time to react. I ran forward and caught Frodo. Legolas shot the troll in the neck. It fell to the ground and everyone ran over to Frodo. My father crawled over and turned Frodo over. He was alive. I smiled and Sam looked at Gandalf.

"He's alive!"

Frodo at up.

"Im alright. I'm not hurt."

"You should be dead! That spear would have skewered a wild boar!" Father said.\

I think there's more to this Hobbit then meets the eye." Gandalf said.

Frodo undid his shirt to reveal a coat of Mithril rings. My eyes widened.

"Mithril! You are full of surprises Master Baggins." Gimli said.

We smiled but we heard more Goblins.

"To the bridge of Khaza-Dum." Gandalf said.

We all ran out the door and down the great hallway. As we ran goblins started to come down from the ceiling and up from the floors. Soon we were surrounded. I looked around. There was no way we would survive this. However I refused to go down without a fight. I drew my sword. I knew Gimli was ready. I smiled at his eagerness until we heard something else. The goblins fled and I slowly turned and looked at the other doorway. It was starting to glow like a flame.

"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked.

I knew what it was. It had often plagued my dreams.

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

I needed not to be told twice. Legolas grabbed my hand and we ran.