The Waves Of Dol Amroth

by bowmaiden

When Luna was five years old, she almost drowned in Lake Michigan. Or so she thought. When her life was saved, she awoke in the seafaring country Dol Amroth. Completely alone, Luna was adopted by a couple who served the royal house. Now a young woman, Luna will follow in her father's footsteps as a stable master and her mother's as a healer. 10th walker.

18. In Which First of the Fellowship Falls

Chapter 18: In Which The First of the Fellowship Falls

The next morning, or what Gandalf could only estimate as morning in the dank caverns, the Fellowship took off again on an entire day's worth of walking. He had determined that the best course was the path to the right and after a quick nosh of breakfast, they took off. Luna kept to the back of the party line, distancing herself from Boromir as much as she could. She couldn't help but feel attacked by his actions and words the night before and she wasn't ready to speak to him. Yes, she had kept a secret, but what was so wrong about that? Especially when she herself didn't know the full story. No one did. What was so wrong about wanting to keep that part of her from him, at least until she found her own answers.

She wasn't too pleased with Gandalf either. Not only had he told Aragorn, but now Boromir. She knew he had only intervened because outing her secret to the entire Fellowship would have done more harm than good, especially in their current circumstance. But even so, was she not entitled to a secret that had never caused anyone any harm?

She wished, for the hundredth time this last year, that she were back in Dol Amroth. While most were aware of her strange appearance one day in the waters, no one ever questioned that she was from a place quite so far away. Most assumed she had been a victim of a shipwreck, and Imrahil and Ulfion had encouraged Callum and Melyanna to let them think that. For all they knew, that was the truth. And those who knew the whole story did not judge her, but loved her.

Boromir shot glances back her way most of the day. Aragorn as well, but Aragorn's eyes did not also drift to Frodo when he was finished checking on her. She knew in her heart of hearts that Boromir still desired to use the Ring, but she could not imagine him acting on it until now. After his outburst with her yesterday, she began to wonder if she truly knew what Boromir was capable of.

They walked for what Aragorn guessed to be about fifteen miles that day. Luna spoke to no one, other than to accept a drink of water from Sam and to help pass out the rations for their quick luncheon. Just as the Hobbits were beginning to ask for evening rest, the walls on either side of the party disappeared and the air turned cleaner and cooler around them. Above her head, Luna could see some kind of arched doorway, the space ahead of it dark and empty. Gandalf let out a chuckle at the head of the party. "I chose the right way. At last we are coming to the habitable parts, and I guess that we are not far now from the eastern side. But we are high up, a good deal higher than the Dimrill Gate, unless I am mistaken. From the feeling of the night air we must be in a wide hall. I will now risk a little real light."

The Wizard raised his staff into the air, casting a bright light into the cavern ahead as they all gathered around him. But "cavern" was not an accurate description. No, this was a great hall with pillars of stone holding up a grand ceiling at heights Luna had never seen. Minas Tirith, built into the side of a mountain, could not compare to this glowing underground city built of the mountains itself. She noticed her jaw dropping as she took in the sights, but before she had looked her fill, Gandalf's light was snuffed.

"That's all I'll risk for now," the Wizard said. "Let us rest here, if we can. Things have gone well so far and the greater part of the dark road is over. But we are not through yet and it is a long way down to the Gates that open on the world."

That night, there was no escaping the others, for the air in the hall was cold and the company huddled together to escape the draft of the night. Gimli told them stories of the Hall, which was once the entrance to a city known as Dwarrowdelf. While Luna enjoyed his songs and tales of the Dwarf-city that once was, she couldn't help but feel saddened by the fact that it was now lost and she found that same sadness in Gimli, for when he finished, he would say no more.

Gandalf took over the stories when Gimli was done, telling them of Mithril, the true treasure of the Mines. A silver harder than diamonds, but light as feathers that the Dwarves crafted into beautiful armor. Luna remembered from Bilbo's tales that the Hobbit had been gifted a mail tunic from Thorin Oakenshield. She made to listen to Gandalf's stories, but Boromir had stood to grab a piece of bread from the food bag in front of her and sat down beside her. She pulled her knees to her chin, wrapping her arms around her legs, forcing herself to become as small as possible. "I hate that you now seem to fear me," he whispered in her ear.

"I am not afraid of you," she said. "You hurt me, Boromir. There is a difference."

"Can't you see how your secrets have also hurt me?"

"I never planned for it to become such a secret. And I never intended to keep it forever. I just wasn't ready to tell you. You were wrong to force me into it."

He fell quiet for a moment, Gandalf's story taking over again, but Luna couldn't focus on his words. "You're right," Boromir said. "And I apologize. I fear darkness will head our way before we leave these wretched caves. I need to know you'll have my trust when it does. Please forgive me, Luna."

She tightened her grip around her legs, pulling them even closer to her chest. "Not yet."

---

The next morning, the party broke their fast in the quickest of fashions. All were eager to leave the Mines and taste the fresh air of the outside. By Gandalf's estimate, they would reach the Gates by sundown, if they moved hastily enough. So, within minutes they were fed and their camp was packed.

Boromir had left Luna's side that night, taking his rest nearer to Merry and Sam. Luna knew the Hobbits were starting to suspect something was amiss between them. Before the caves, Luna always rested nearest Boromir and this change was not lost on them. "You seem of low spirits today, Miss Luna," Sam said at breakfast, handing her an extra peach. "Have that from my pack, then. It will be rot by the morning. Best you have it now and perk up before we start a-walking again."

She smiled softly. "Thank you, Sam. I'm sure seeing the sun or stars again will lift my spirits."

"Well then, we best get a move on!"

Boromir enthusiastically followed Gandalf under the northern arch of the Hall and entered a wide corridor with a door on the right. Beyond the door was a large square chamber and they squinted at the light that came from it, for their eyes were not adjusted to the brightness that came from there. In the center of the room was a single oblong block sealed with a slab of white stone.

"It looks like a tomb," Frodo said, stepping into the room with Gandalf and examining the stone.

"There are Saeron's Runes," Gandalf said. "Here is written in the tongues of Men 'Balin Son of Fundin, Lord of Moria'."

"He is dead, then," Frodo said as Gimli shrank to the back of the group, pulling his hood tight over his head.

Gandalf bid the company to look around the tomb to find any clues as to what had happened to Balin. Scattered about the room were bones and weapons; broken swords and ax-heads littered about the place. Some of the swords Luna recognized as Orc scimitars, crooked at their shafts. Gandalf came across a book and began to read from its pages, but Boromir grabbed Luna. "We should not be lingering here," he said. "It is as I predicted. The way out is riddled with darkness."

"These bones are long, long dead." Luna said, though even as she spoke, she began to doubt her own words. "The Orcs that did this would be long gone by now. What would keep them here? They would have no reason to stay."

"Luna, please. I know you are mad at me, but please promise to stay close to me until we have left these caves. I can't bear to lose you to this dark and horrible place."

"Listen to this!" Gandalf called to the room, continuing to read from the pages of the book he found. "'We cannot get out. We cannot get out. They have taken the Bridge and second hall. Frar and Loni and Nali fell there.' Then, there are four lines smeared so that I can only reach 'went five days ago'. The last lines run 'the pool is up the wall at Westgate. The Watcher in the Water to Oin. We cannot get out. The end comes,' and then, 'drums, drums in the deep.' I wonder what that means. The last thing written is in a trailing scrawl of Elf-letters: 'they are coming.' There is nothing more."

The Fellowship stood in silence around Balin's tomb as each realized what the words written on the page meant. "'We cannot get out'," Gimli said. "It was well for us that the pool had sunk a little, and that the Watcher was sleeping down at the southern end."

"They seem to have made a last stand by both doors," Gandalf said, looking around the room. "But there were not many left by that time. So ended the attempt to retake Moria! It was valiant but foolish. The time has not come yet. Now, I fear, we must say farewell to Balin, Son of Fundin. Here he must lie in the halls of his fathers. We will take this book, the Book of Mazarbul, and look at it more closely later. You had better keep it, Gimli, and take it back to Dain, if you get a chance. It will interest him, though it will grieve him deeply. Come, let us go! The morning is passing. Come now, back to the hall."

No sooner had he spoken these words than a loud bang sounded throughout the chamber. Luna felt the sound radiate through her feet. Another loud blast Luna recognized as a horn blew about and more answered it in the distance. Luna could hear the sounds of stammering feet, hundreds of pairs.

"They are coming!" Legolas cried, pulling out his bow.

"We cannot get out!" Gimli said.

"Trapped! Why did I delay?" said Gandalf. "Here we are caught, just as they were before. But I was not here then. We will see what-"

But he was cut off as loud drums began to pound and sound throughout the cavern. "Slam the doors and wedge them!" Aragorn shouted, running to the doors of the tomb. "Keep your packs on as long as you can. We may get a chance to cut our way out yet."

"No!" Gandalf cried. "We must not get shut in. Keep the east door ajar. We will go that way, if we can." Another horn sounded and cries rang out after it.

"Move to the back," Boromir said to Luna. "Draw your bow and stay with the Hobbits. I swear on Gondor, I swear on the Ring if you do not make it out of here with me-"

"Enough!" she said, pulling out an arrow and knocking it to her bowstring. "Go help Aragorn. I will stay with the Hobbits, I promise."

Boromir gave her one last look before nodding and moving to the door with Aragron.

"Wait a moment!" Gandalf said to them. "Do not close it yet." The Wizard drew himself up to a great height, towering over the rest of the party and walked to the door. "Who comes hither to disturb the rest of Balin Lord of Moria?" he cried.

His only answer was the sound of horse laugher that made Luna's skin crawl. She moved behind Legolas and Gimli to where the Hobbits were all huddles, their swords drawn and raised. She stood beside Frodo, pulling her bow up and aiming at the door, drawing the string back to her cheek. Gandalf lit his staff, sending a blinding light out the door. When it subsided, he moved his head back inside. "There are Orcs, very many of them. And some are large and evil; black Uruks of Mordor. For the moment they are hanging back, but there is something else there. A great cave-troll, I think, or more than one. There is no hope of escape that way."

"And no hope at all if they come at the other door as well," said Boromir.

"There is no sound outside there yet," Aragorn said, who had moved to the eastern door and was listening that way. "The passage on this side plunges straight down a stair. It plainly does not lead back towards the hall. But it is no good flying blindly this way with the pursuit just behind. We cannot black the door. Its key is gone and the lock is broken and it opens inwards. We must do something to delay the enemy first. We will make them fear the Chamber of Mazarbul!" With those words, he pulled his sword from its sheath, glowing faintly in the darkness.

Footsteps now sounded from the other side of the western door. Boromir flung himself against the door, closing it and then, reached to the ground for the broken swords, wedging them into the wood, baring it closed. Boromir and Gandalf moved away from the door, closer to the rest of the party, just as a loud blow came in contact with the door. Luna kept her bow drawn and took a breath to steady herself before a second blow came, breaking a massive fist through the door. A huge arm and shoulder, colored sickeningly greenish. That must be the cave-troll Gandalf had seen. Boromir ran at the arm with his sword, coming to contact with the arm, his sword singing out with a loud clang..

Luna nearly jumped as Frodo sprang to life beside her, running up to Boromir and the arm, stabbing with his blade that was glowing blue in the darkness. "The Shire!" he cried, stabbing at the arm. A loud bellow sounded and Luna almost let her arrow loose, but thought better of it. She only had so many and it would certainly only annoy the troll, not inhibit it. The arm pulled out of the doorway and Boromir shut it again, bracing himself against it as he barred it with more broken blades.

Loud crashes sounded against the door, throwing Boromir from it. The crashes continued and Luna felt her arms begin to shake. This was it, what everyone had warned her against. She was not ready, she was not a warrior.

The door cracked and fell to the floor and arrows whistled through, landing against the northern wall and missing the party. Luna had no time to think as Orcs flooded into the room. Boromir and Aragorn stood at the front line, slaying all that came their way, but there were so many that some slipped past them. Gimli stood at Balin's tomb, keeping the foul creatures away from his kin's resting place. The Hobbits all fought well with their swords and Luna found herself flanked by Legolas. "Shoot, Luna, shoot!" the Elf cried, pulling her from her frozen state of fear. She let out the breath she had been holding and found one headed Sam's way. She released her arrow, watching it quickly imbed itself in the back of the Orc's head before pulling out another arrow and knocking it, aiming and shooting six more arrows. She missed her targets twice, but the rest either took an Orc's life, or sent one to the ground in pain before one of the Hobbits was able to get it with their sword.

As the Orc numbers dwindled, Legolas stopped shooting and moved about the room, collecting the arrows she and him had shot. He handed four back to her as Gandalf cried, "Now is the time! Let us go, before the troll returns!"

But they could not retreat. Just then, through the door came an Orc-chieftain, wielding a great spear. With a growl, he hurled the spear at Frodo, landing in his side and Luna's heart fell with Frodo to the ground. She couldn't think as Boromir and Aragorn both jumped at the chieftain, taking him down swiftly, Aragorn's sword slicing right through the Orc's helm. His followers fled as their leader fell. Gandalf called again for them to run and Luna felt Legolas grab her arm and pull her towards the eastern door to the other side. "Run!" Legolas cried, "And do not stop." With that he shoved her through the door and she obeyed, running down the stairs two at a time. She heard footsteps follow behind her as the rest of the party shuffled through the door.

"I am alright," she heard Frodo shout. "I can walk. Put me down!"

She picked her heart back up with those words and continued down the stairs as she had been told. She already felt like a hindrance to the party, serving no use back in the tomb. She would at least show that she could follow simple directions.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she looked back and saw Gandalf's light still near the top. Merry, Pippin, and Sam were not far behind her and Legolas and Gimli followed, with Legolas grasping the Dwarf by the collar of his vest, seemingly pulling him down the stairs. Boromir was next, followed by Frodo and Aragorn. Gandalf's light remained at the top and the party watched, catching their breaths as they tried to make out Gandalf's faint voice. Soon, the walls began to tremble. Frodo grabbed onto Sam, who put his arm around his master. Luna looked for Boromir and he was making his way to her, pulling her into his arms once he reached her and she let him, wrapping her arms around his torso as he gripped the back of her head, pulling her closer. Soon, the faint light from Gandalf's staff turned brilliantly white and Luna had to shut her eyes as the sound of banging drums increased and increased until, suddenly, they stopped and Gandalf's light dissipated. As Luna's eyes adjusted back to the darkness, Gandalf came flying down the stairs, collapsing on the ground. "Well, well!" he said, using his staff to pull himself back up. "That's over. I have done all that I could. But I have met my match and have nearly been destroyed. But don't stand here! Go on! You will have to do without light for a while. I am rather shaken." He called for Gimli then and the Wizard and the Dwarf took the lead once again.

Boromir let Luna go, but did not leave her side. They followed Gandalf in the near dark, pausing only when he needed to poke around with his staff. He led them down many flights of stairs, deeper and deeper into the caverns. The air grew hotter and hotter as they descended and soon, Luna was sweating through her clothes, using her sleeves to wipe the sweat away from her brow. After maybe an hour of walking, Gandalf finally stopped. "It is getting hot! We ought to be down to at least the level of the Gates now. Sonn I think we should look for a left-hand turn to take us east. I hope it is not far. I am very weary. I must rest here a moment, even if all the Orcs ever spawned are after us."

Luna listened, but the sound of drums was very distant now and there was no sound of pursuit behind them. She reached into her pack and pulled out her waterskin. She had done her best to only drink from it a few times a day since they'd entered Moria and it was still half-full. Gimli had helped Gandalf to the ground and she bent down with him and handed the Wizard her skin. She couldn't make out an expression on his face in the darkness, but he accepted the skin and took a swallow.

"What happened up at the door?" Gimli asked.

"I found myself suddenly faced by something that I have not met before," Gandalf said, handing Luna back her waterskin. "The Orcs on the other side of the door were speaking to each other in their own hideous language. I made out the word 'fire' before something came into the chamber. What it was, I cannot guess, but I have never felt such a challenge. I thought to put a shutting-spell on the door, but it took all of my strength as I fought the power on the other side. Soon, the door burst into pieces and I was thrown back down the stairs. Balin is buried deep and maybe something else is buried there too. I cannot say. But at least the passage behind us was completely blocked, for when I was thrown, the walls and roof of the chamber collapsed. Ah, I have never felt so spent, but it is passing. And now, what about you, Frodo? There was not time to say so, but I have never been more delighted in my life than when you spoke. I feared that it was a brave but dead Hobbit that Aragorn was carrying."

"What about me?" said Frodo. "I am alive and whole, bruised and in pain, but it is not too bad."

"You take after Bilbo," Gandalf said, making to stand again and starting the walk. "Now, onward."

As they moved their pace quickened for this round, now that Gandalf had taken a rest. Soon, the passage in front of them was lit ahead, but not with daylight. The light ahead was deep and red in color and it seemed to growl at them as they approached an opening in the tunnel, the air growing hotter still.

"There is some new devilry here," Gandalf said, taking a step back. "Devised for our welcome, no doubt. But I know now where we are. We have reached the Gates. This is the Second Hall of Old Moria and the Gates are near. Come and look." They had reached another great Hall. At the far end stood two pillars where the red light shone brightest. Flames flickered at the edge of the pillars and Luna could make out the fists of Orcs beyond them. "Let us hope that the fire now lies between us and pursuit. Now, for the last race. If the sun is shining outside, we may still escape. After me!"

They followed Gandalf, taking a sharp left down the hall. Behind them, Luna could hear the pattering of feet as they ran, chasing them. A loud yell sounded through the hall. They had been spotted. Luna saw an arrow wisp past them, striking the distant wall.

"The Bridge is near!" Gandalf cried. "It is dangerous and narrow, be on your guard!" Indeed, he was right as they came to a massive chasm, sinking to depths dark and unknown. Luna took a deep breath as Gandalf led them to the Bridge, so thin that they would have to walk single-file and with no aid of railing or kerb. Gandalf sent Gimli across first followed by Merry and Pippin. Boromir had Luna follow the two Hobbits, keeping a tight grip on her shoulder as they crossed. Arrows began to fly past their heads. When they reached the other side of the Bridge, Luna could hear the chants of the Orcs behind them and saw Legolas turn and shoot back and them. But as soon as he drew a second arrow, she saw his face fall into terror and she couldn't help but look back at what he saw.

She couldn't see it. She could barely make out the two trolls that flanked either side of it. Whatever it was, it dwarfed the trolls in size and moved like a shadow across the flat stone floor of the hall. The fire now behind it seemed to roar with power as it moved. Luna saw weapons in each of its hands, also ablaze with powerful flames. She reached for Boromir and gripped his tunic tightly with both of her hands, pulling him closer to her, for she was filled with more terror than she had ever felt before at the sight of this monster.

"A Balrog!" Legolas cried. "A Balrog is come!"

"Now I understand," Gandalf said. "Tis an evil fortune and I am already weary!" But the Wizard didn't wait long before heading back across the Bridge, going to face the Balrog.

Boromir held Luna tightly with one arm and with the other, raised his horn to his lips and blew. Luna could not bear to look upon the Balrog any longer and buried her face in his chest. When his horn silenced, Boromir pulled Luna away from him. The whites of his eyes glowed red in the fire that came closer and closer to them. "I cannot leave Gandalf to face this alone."

"No!" Luna said. "We leave together, or not at all."

"You need to make sure Frodo gets out of here alive. I will follow, Luna. I promise." He pulled her into him once more, placing a kiss on her head before shoving her towards the Bridge. "Go!" he yelled one last time, pulling his sword out and turning to the Bridge. Aragorn called out "Elendil! I am with you, Gandalf!" followed by Boromir's call for "Gondor!" and the two men began to run back across the Bridge.

There was a bright light that shone from Gandalf's staff and the ground beneath her feet quaked. With his spell, Gandalf cracked the Bridge. Aragorn and Boromir could go no further. "You cannot pass!" Gandalf cried at the beast. "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Got back to the Shadow! You cannot pass!" Another blinding light shone from Gandalf's staff before it cracked and fell from his hand. Luna looked upon the Balrog one last time as it fell forward, down into the depths below the Bridge. Gandalf turned to return to the party, but from below, the Balrog's whip came at him, wrapping itself around Gandalf's ankle. The Wizard fell and gripped at the earth below him, but it did no good. The whip dragged him to the edge of the chasm. "Fly, you fools!" he cried as he was pulled off the edge.

Luna could not move. She was frozen at the edge of escape, staring at the spot Gandalf fell from, wishing this was all just a nightmare. She would wake and they would still be in the caverns, safe and together. No Orcs on their tails, no Balrog ever awakened.

Boromir slammed into her and grabbed her hand, pulling her out the door. She found she couldn't protest, for her muscles had softened and she couldn't make them obey her.

"Come, I will lead you now!" she heard Aragorn cry. "We must obey his last command. Follow me!"

Boromir continued to drag her and her vision blurred. It was by some miracle that her feet and legs continued to carry her, for all of her other senses began to fail. She could hear nothing more around her, smell nothing. She ran and ran, not seeing that the darkness around her had turned to sunlight. She ran until Boromir stopped and pulled her into him and they both fell to the ground, holding each other as tight as they could. And together with the remainder of the Fellowship, they wept for Gandalf.