Chapter 9

I could hear the roar of the Balrog as we ran. It was getting hot as we continued. We came to a stop as part of the stair was broken. Boromir nearly fell forward. Legolas ran forward and grabbed him. I heard Gandalf talking to my father.

"Lead them on Aragorn! The bridge is near!" Gandalf said.

I looked over and saw it. However father tried to help Gandalf, but he only pushed him back.

"Do as I say! Swords are no more use here!"

We all continued and found a gap in the stairs. Legolas jumped across and then looked up to me. I jumped forward into his arms. Goblins started to shoot at us. I notched an arrow in the string and let it fly into the goblin. More came and while the others were jumping across I shot goblins down. Until I saw that my father and Frodo were trapped on the other side. A piece of the ceiling gave way and it broke off more of the bridge. Now that part Frodo and father were standing on was unstable. I ran forward but Legolas held me back.

"Lean forward!" Father said.

They leaned and the came colliding with us. I smiled in relief and we kept on running. Flames started to come up around us. Then I saw it….the Balrog of Morgoth. My eyes widened. I had never seen such a beast. My father pulled me away and we ran across the bridge. However I turned to see that Gandalf was still on the bridge.

"NO!"

I ran back and drew my sword and stood ready to fight.

"You cannot pass!" Gandalf said.

"GANDALF!" Frodo shouted.

"I am a servant of the Secret Fire. Wielder of the Flame of Arnor!" Gandalf said.

His staff lit up and surrounded us in it's light.

"The Dark Fire will not avail you! Flame if Udûn!"

The Balrog drew it's fiery sword and struck us. However the light that surrounded us served as a shield. Gandalf now brought his sword and staff together.

"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"

He brought them down on the bridge. As the Balrog walked forward it broke beneath him. It fell down to it's death. As Gandalf and I turned to leave he fell and was pulled back. I turned and grabbed him.

"GANDALF!" Frodo cried.

"Gandalf hold on. Please I can pull you up."

"This is how it must be. ~Your destiny lies with him. Farewell Lady Gilraen.~"

My eyes widened and he turned and looked at the others.

"Fly you fools!"

He twisted out of my grasp and fell.

"NO!" Frodo and I shouted.

Gandalf the Grey was gone. Dead and never to return. Someone came up and pulled me back and out of Moria. It was my father. I shoved him off and fell to my knees. Tears pouring down my face.

"Legolas get them up!" father said.

I looked up in disbelief. We needed time to mourn. Legolas walked over to Merry and Pippin who were close to me and Boromir stood.

"Give them a moment for pities sake! Look at your daughter Aragorn!" He said.

"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlorien." Father said.

He had a good point, however I agreed more so with Boromir.

"Come Boromir, Legolas! Gimli get them up!" Father said.

Someone put a hand on my shoulder. Gimli was there.

"Come on lass. On your feet. You tried and that's all that matters." He said.

He took my hand and I stood. I gave him a small but sad smile. He nodded and then Legolas walked up to me. He looked into my eyes and slightly opened his arms to me. I flew into them and buried my face in his chest.

"~You tried meleth nin. You did what you could. This was his fate. This was meant to happen.~" He whispered.

I had no answer for him. He guided me along and we made our way to the Golden Wood of Lorien.