This chapters dedicated for those in the path of the Hurricane Ian.
The Fellowship walk over mountains, past ancient ruins, over hills
GANDALF VO:We must hold this course west of the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. (Finn takes sausages from a frying pan on an open fire.) and there our road turns east to Mordor.
Finn walks over with the plate to Lillie who is sitting watching Chloe and Anya practice sword fighting with Boromir. Bell looks on also smoking a pipe.
BOROMIR: Good, very good. (he continues to practice with Anya)
"How foolish to send..hobbits on such a quest with no fighting experience." Otarl said shaking his head.
"Yeah that was pretty foolish."
"Well, desperate times, extreme measures."
"Still. It's suicide."
Bell: Move your feet
Chloe: You look good Anya
Anya:(looking over her shoulder at Chloe ) Thanks (Chloe joins the practice, Lillie and Lillie look on grinning)
Gareth: (who is sitting behind them on the rocks, near to Gandalf, whilst Legolas stands keeping watch) If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note that they're not, I'd say that we were taking the long way round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome.
GANDALF: No Gareth, I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice.
"Well that sounds ominous" Eina said.
"Is there bad blood?" Rose asked
Legolas runs in front of them and stands and stares at a grey cloud in the distance. Gandalf pauses to follow his eyes.
Meanwhile, Boromir's sword slips and he cuts Anya's hand with his sword. Anya drops her sword
Anya:ARGH!
BOROMIR: Sorry! (he steps forward to look at Anya's hand)
Anya kicks Boromir in the leg.
Chloe: Get him! (She throws her at Boromir)
"Well, I'll give em That much."
The two hobbits wrestle Boromir to the ground and jump on him. Bell looks on amused.
Anya: For the Shire. Hold him, hold him down Chloe! (Boromir laughs)
Some people smiled at the sight others just watched indifferent.
Bell:(getting up and taking hold of the hobbits) ladies, that's enough! (Chloe and Anya grab Bell's legs, throwing him backwards onto the ground)
Anya:You've got my arm... argh!... you've got my arm
As this was going on Lillie stands up and notices that the cloud looking like dark specks is moving towards them
Lillie: What is that?
"Looks like a flock of birds." Bell said as the creatures were coming closer.
Gareth: Nothing, its just a whisp of cloud
BOROMIR:(pausing from the scuffle looks up) Its moving fast... against the wind
LEGOLAS: Crebain! From Dudland!
Bell: Hide! (he runs to grab his sword)
BOROMIR: Hurry!
Bell:(grabs his sword) Lillie! Take cover!
They all run gathering their things and dousing the fire, and dash under the rocks out of sight
A great flock of black crows flies over them, circles around and then flies off
The Fellowship emerge from their hiding places
GANDALF: Spies of Saruman. The passage south is being watched (Lillie looks distressed) We must take the Pass of Caradhras (they look up at the snowy peaked mountains)
"Well that's just great."
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The Fellowship are walking up the snowy slopes of the mountain. Lillie stumbles, falls and rolls back down the slope
Bell: Lillie! (he catches her and picks her up)
Lillie was worried but than she was given an idea watching that scene.
Lillie brushes the snow off herself, and notices that the Ring is no longer handing round her neck.
"Where is it!?" Lillie said worriedly. Before she saw everyone and I do mean EVERYONE looking at her with varying looks. Ranging from horror. Fear. Worry. And Pity.
"I mean it in worry not obsession!!" Lillie defend shouted.
Further up the mountain the Ring is picked up on its chain. Lillie looks concerned. Boromir holds the Ring dangling in front of his face in awe. Gandalf turns around. Everyone looks concernedz
"Oh shit." Raul said voicing everyone's concern at seeing who had picked it up.
Bell: Boromir
BOROMIR: It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing (he is mesmerised by it) such a little thing (he raises his hand to touch the Ring dangling on the chain)
"Somebody needs to take it now!" Chigusa said fearing what may happen.
"Who, only Lillie is allowed to carry it. And who knows what it'll do to the others if it even gets a chance to graze them." Ouranus said as he watched the scene play out.
Bell:(urgently) Boromir! (Boromir abruptly stops, halted from his isolation) Give the Ring to Lillie
BOROMIR:(looking shocked and walks to a worried Lillie and holds out the Ring. Lillie snatches it from him) as you wish! I care not (he grins, hestitates as he sees Bell's face, laughs and ruffles Lillie's hair, before walking off)
"He's not fooling anyone." Hestia said.
"Seeing it more and more how it's affecting him. It's near pitiable." Asfi said.
Some humming or nodding their heads in agreement while others remain silent.
Bell stares after him and releases his grip on his sword
"Good call and Intuition boy." Otarl said. While some people where a bit worried and thankful that it didn't come to such an outcome none could say they didn't agree to what he was willing to do.
In Isengard, the mines are deep. The Crebain circle around inside them, until they find Saruman.
SARUMAN: So Gandalf, you try to lead them over Caradhras. And if that fails, where then will you go?
The Fellowship struggle around the side of the mountain, through deep snow, strong winds and heavy snowfall
SARUMAN VOICEOVER: If the mountain defeats you will you risk a more dangerous road
"What do you think he he means?" Lefiya asked out loud.
"If his earlier conversation with Gareth are any indication I'd say he's talking about Moria." Miach said.
"But why would it be dangerous?"
As the Fellowship struggle on, the hobbits being carried by Bell and Boromir who are thigh deep in the snow, Legolas lightly walks across the snow past them to the head of the line. He listens as he hears echos on the wind
SARUMAN: Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; nai yarvaxea rasselya! (Wake up cruel Redhorn! May your horn be bloodstained!)
LEGOLAS: There is a fell voice on the air
GANDALF: It's Saruman!
A mighty crack is heard overhead, and great chunks of rock fall down from the mountain top, narrowly missing them.
"Woah." Some of the younger adventures said. While the mages and gods looked surprised at what was playing out.
Bell: He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf! We must turn back!
"Wise." A few gods said.
GANDALF: No! (he steps out to the edge of the path) Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'ruith! (Sleep, Caradhras, be still, lie still, hold your wrath!)
"I can understand trying. But with that many people and what they are carrying. Turning back would be the logical choice. If they weren't literally covered in snow and having to be carried." Daphne said, her time as a quasi tactician for Apollo kicking in a bit.
SARUMAN:(standing on top of Isengard drowns him out) Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; Nai yarvaxea rasselya; taltuva notto-carinnar! (Wake up cruel Redhorn! May your bloodstained horn fall upon enemy heads!)
"So who or what is it they are trying to awake and calm?" Hestia asked
"It is the name of the mountain given by the Dwarves." She said
A great streak of lightning hits the top of the mountain above the Fellowship and an avalanche of snow rains down on top of them, burying them underneath it.
Many of the women watching gasp in horror and fear.
Moments later Legolas emerges from the snow. He looks around to see the others emerge
At this there was a collective sigh of relief.
BOROMIR: We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the west road to my city!
Bell: The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!
Gareth: If we cannot pass over the mountain, let us go under it! Let us go through the Mines of Moria
Gandalf pauses thinking
SARUMAN VOICEOVER: Moria... you fear to go into those mines.
SARUMAN:(in Isengard flicking through a book, stops at a page showing Moria Gate) the dwarves delved too greadily and too deep
SARUMAN VOICEOVER:(as Gandalf hears him knowingly) You know what they woke in the dark of Khazad-dum
"Oh no." Cassandra said shuddering in fear of what ever may happen.
SARUMAN:(turning over another page to show a firey balrog) Shadow, flame. (As he said that, there in the background a faint roar of the demon could be heard.)
Everyone who saw the drawing were silent. Though it was only an image everyone there yes even the gods themselves knew no one there could stand a chance against such a monster. They're thoughts and minds went immediately to the one eyed black dragon and many feared what would happen if they encountered such a creature.
"W-what w-w-was Dyat?!" Chloe said shaking in fear. It wasn't just her,EVERY beast person was shaking in fear or horror, their instincts told them to run and don't look back. Even Bete was no exception and he wasn't ashamed by that.
"A Maiar the same being as Gandalf."
"WHAT?!"
"BULLSHIT!"
"can you please explain in more detail?" Ouranus said taking control of the situation.
"As I said earlier Sauron is a Maia. Which is one step above a Maiar which Gandalf and that creature are. However Sauron once had a master." EVAH started getting surprised looks of interest.
"His master was Melkor or as he is better known Morgoth. Morgoth is an Ainur, but not just any Ainur. He was the first and greatest of the Ainur. As I also said earlier the Valar are the gods of Middle Earth. However before they became the Valar they were all Ainur. I'll explain after this viewing but the Ainur became the Valar when they descended down to middle earth which the Ainur call EA."
"The Ainur were allowed to descend to middle earth But this condition Iluvatar made for them, or it is the necessity of their love, that their power should thenceforward be contained and bounded in the World, to be within it for ever, until it is complete, so that they are its life and it is theirs. And therefore they are named the Valar, the Powers of the World.
"That's great and all and who the heck is Iluvatar but where does this lead to Sauron Morgoth and the demon on the page?" Bete said.
"Morgoth grew angered and hated, coveted and grew in jealousy and greed the works of his fellow gods. All the evils of the world and all the fell beasts are because of Melkor who is called Morgoth. The evil god of Middle Earth. And Sauron was his most loyal and chief follower. And with Melkor others followed in his shadow; those being Maia and Maiar. The greatest of his minions other than Sauron. Are the Balrogs the creature you just witnessed." EVAH finished. And once again more questions Rose but thankfully they were told the explanation would come next.
GANDALF: Let the Ringbearer decide
Lillie looks confused and stares at Gandalf before she turns to Finn
BOROMIR: We cannot stay here! (Chloe and Anya look frozen and scared next to him) This will be the death of the hobbits!
GANDALF: Lillie?
"I'd say take our chances with Saruman and go to Gondor." Lillie said, even though it did no good.
Lillie:(hesitating) We will go through the Mines
"Oh no." Many said
GANDALF: So be it
"I got a bad feeling about this."
The Fellowship walk through a misty, rocky valley
GANDALF: Lillie, come and help an old man (he puts his arm around Lillie and continues walking) How's your shoulder?
Lillie:(looking up at Gandalf concerned) Better than it was
GANDALF: And the Ring ? (he pauses and Lillie looks up at him) 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. (one of the Fellowship walks past and Gandalf looks up, Lillie looks worried)
"Looking at you Boromir!" Lunoir said crossing her arms. Her fellow staff members nodding in agreement.
Lillie: Who then do I trust?
"No one." Bell said. Shocking and surprising everyone close to him at the firm and stern response he gave.
GANDALF: You must trust to yourself. Trust your own strength.
Lillie: What do you mean ?
GANDALF: 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
"Please tell me they won't run into that Balrog!" Cassandra pleaded but no response was given.
Gareth :(pauses and points) Ah! The walls of Moria!
In front of them a great sheer flat cliff face appears
Gareth: Dwarf doors are invisible when closed (he taps the wall with his axe)
"Just like ours.
GANDALF: Yes Gareth! Their own masters cannot find them, if their secrets are forgotten.
LEGOLAS: Why doesn't that surprise me!
Gareth: Ach!
"Oooh burn!" Tione teased.
Lillie stumbles and her foot slips into the edge of a lake. She looks around worried. The Fellowship continue to walk on. Gandalf stops and rubs his hand over a smooth part of the wall.
GANDALF: Ah... now let me see... Ithildin (his hands brush away the dirt to reveal patterns in the stone) It mirrors only starlight...(he looks up to see the clouds move away from the moon) and moonlight
As he speaks the patterning on the door shines brightly revealing an ornate door, with elvish writing above it on the arch. Gareth looks in awe. Gandalf points at the writing with his staff
"Wow." Gareth said awe struck at the site. Others sharing his awe as well.
GANDALF: It reads "The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria, Speak Friend and Enter"
Chloe: What do you suppose that means?
GANDALF: Oh it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open (he turns back to the door and holds his staff against the star in the center of it) Annon Edhellen, edro hi ammen! (Gate of the Elves, open now for me!)
Anya grins widely, but nothing happens. Gandalf looks confused and clears his throat. He holds up both his hands
GANDALF: Fennas Nogothrim, lasto beth lammen. (Doorway of the Dwarf-folk, listen to the word of my tongue.)
Still nothing happens. Gareth grunts. Legolas looks at him
Anya:(speaking to Legolas) Nothing's happening
GANDALF:(walks up to the door and tries to push it) I once knew every spell in all the tongues of elves, men and orcs
"That's actually impressive. Lefiya said
Anya: What're you going to do then?
GANDALF: Knock your head against these doors Anyagrin Took! and if that does not shatter them and I'm allowed a little peace from foolish questions I will try to find the opening words.
"Hehe." Lunoir chuckled at the quasi banter as she she felt and agreed with Gandalf
The Fellowship are sitting waiting for Gandalf to come up with the right words. They sit around on the rocks. Gandalf mutters
GANDALF:Ando Eldarinwaa lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa (Gate of Elveslisten to my word, Threshold of Dwarves)
Bell is helping Lillie remove the baggage from Bill the pony
Bell: The Mines are no place for a pony even one so brave as Bill.
Lillie :BuBye Bill
Bell: Go on, go on (he gives him a push) Don't worry Lillie. He knows the way home. (Lillie looks on concerned and the pony walks away)
Chloe starts throwing rocks into the lake. Anya joins her
Bell:(grabbing Anya) Do not disturb the water (he looks out at it concerned)
GANDALF:(throws down his staff and walks towards Lillie who is sitting down) Oh it's useless
Bell is watching the water as ripples start to appear. Boromir walks up behind him and looks concerned
"Oh boy."
Lillie suddenly stands up and looks at the door's writing
Lillie: It's a riddle!
The ripples on the water turn to waves. Anya looks worried
Lillie:Speak friend... and enter. What's the elvish word for friend ?
The ripples move towards the shore
GANDALF:Mel..lon
A great crack is heard and the doors swing open. Gandalf chuckles. Gareth removes his pipe from his mouth and looks round. The Fellowship get up as Gandalf leads the way through the doors, placing a crystal in the top of his staff. Bell looks backwards at the lake before entering.
"Whew! Got out of that one just in time."
Gareth: Soon Mr Elf, you will enjoy the fabelled hospitality of the dwarves. Roaring fires! Malt Beer! Red Meat off the bone!
"Hearing that a few people's mouths started watering, even though they had just watched them barely escape a peril.
Gandalf blows on the crystal in his staff and it lights up
Gareth :This my friend is the home of my cousin Balin and they call it a Mine!
The light reveals many dead corpses and skeletons on the stairs in front of them
GASP*
Gareth: A Mine!
BOROMIR:(looking around him) This isn't a mine, it's a tomb
They all look about them to see the skeletons of dwarves with arrows sticking out of them.
"W-what happened here!?" Gareth asked in horror.
"Goblins and the watcher at the gate." EVAH stated
Gareth :(running to a corpse) Nooooo! NOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo!
LEGOLAS:(pulling an arrow from a skeleton. He looks at it in distaste) Goblins! (He throws it down)
Bell and Boromir draw their swords and Legolas loads his bow with an arrow
BOROMIR: We make for the gap of Rohan. We should never have come here
The hobbits huddle together backing out of the mines
BOROMIR: Now get out of here! Get out!
Suddenly Lillie falls. She has been grabbed by a large tenticle that has crept into the mine from the water.
"Nope nope nope nope!" Lillie mantra'd to herself at seeing her alternate self getting grabbed by a tentacle
Chloe and Anya: Lillie! Lillie!
The tenticle pulls Lillie out of the cave
Finn: Strider! (Finn slashes at the tenticle with his sword and frees Lillie.) Get off her!
The other two hobbits drag her backwards
Chloe: Bell!
The tenticle withdraws. The suddenly many tenticles jump out of the water, knocking the hobbits over and grabbing Lillie by the leg, pulling her back and dangles her in the air above the water.
Chloe: Lillie!
Legolas appears and fires an arrow at it, but the creature does not let go.
Lillie: Strider!
Bell and Boromir slash at the tenticles, cutting them off, but more appear. Lillie is drawn into the center where a body appears and a huge gaping mouth with great teeth. She screams. Boromir cuts through a tenticle, Bell cuts through the tenticle holding Lillie. Lillie falls and Boromir catches her.
GANDALF: Into the Mines!
BOROMIR: Legolas!
He shouts as the creature advances on Bell and Boromir (still carrying Lillie) who are struggling to get out of the water. Legolas fires an arrow into the creature's body. It groans and backs off momentarily. The Fellowship hurry through the door with the creature following them. It tears at the doorway, bringing it crashing down and blocking the entrance.
"Whew. That was close. I hate krakens." Lillie said.
"That was no squid nor a kraken. But one of the Nameless things."
"What are those."
"As the name implies. Let's just say that the nameless things are...by products during the creation of the world, for even the gods themselves do not know the nameless things exists."
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In the dark, Gandalf lights his staff
GANDALF: 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
"Such as the nameless things?" Haruhime said To which EDVH nodded
(he walks off leading the way up the steps) Quietly now, its a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed.
"gods! Four days!?"
They walk through great caverns, over narrow bridges and through disused mines, with abandoned ladders, and chains. Gandalf stops as he notices silvery white lines in the rockface and gently touches them.
GANDALF: The wealth of Moria is not in gold, or jewels, but Mithril
He shines his staff into the cavern below and everyone looks down in awe at the intense abandoned mines
GANDALF: Mia had a shirt of mithril rings that Thorin gave her
Gareth :Aww that was a Kingly gift
"And Lillie now has it." Tsubaki stated smiling.
GANDALF: Yes. I never told him, but its worth was greater than the value of The Shire! (Lillie looks astonished)
They continue to climb up some very steep steps. Anya slips on them
Chloe: Anya!
They reach a junction with three doorways in front of them. Gandalf looks around him puzzled
GANDALF: I've no memory of this place
The fellowship sit down to wait, whilst Gandalf smoking his pipe tries to decide which way to go.
Anya: Are we lost ?
Chloe: No
Anya: I think we are
Lillie: Ssh! Gandalf's thinking
Anya: Chloe!
Chloe: What!
Anya: I'm hungry
"sigh" *head shaking*
Lillie glances behind her, then suddenly turns as she sees a creature climbing up the stairs behind them. She runs up to Gandalf
"What!?"
"KILL IT!" Chloe said in horror
Lillie: There's something down there
GANDALF: It's Gollum
"HOW?!
Lillie: Gollum!
GANDALF: He's been following us for three days
"He knew and he said nothing about it?!" Ouka said in disbelief.
Lillie: He escaped the dungeons of Barad-Dr!
GANDALF: Escaped (he turns to face Lillie) or set loose and now the Ring has drawn him here (Gollum's hand reaches for a rung on a ladder and his face appears, looking) many women turned away in disgust and revulsion.
He won't ever be rid of his need for it. He hates and loves the Ring, as he hates and loves himself. Smeagol's life is a sad story (he shakes his head). Yes (nodding) Smeagol he was once called, before the Ring found him. Before it drove him mad
"Who was he before?" Misha asked.
To that EDVH sadly smiled in pity. "He was once a Hobbit."
At her words everyone there looked at her surprised or shocked. Some in horror, others in surprise and a few in worry for Lillie.
Lillie: It's a pity Mia didnt kill him when he had the chance.
"Lillie." Hestia lightly chastised.
GANDALF: Pity ? It was pity that stayed Mia's hand. Many that live deserve death; but some that died, deserved life.
At hearing those words some thought on his words. But none more than Ryuu as she turned her head slightly to the side as she gripped the arm restsof her chair thinking back to her familia.
Can you give it to them Lillie? Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgement Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play, yet for good or ill... before this is over. (Lillie glances back and Gollum quitely slips away) The pity of Bilbo, may rule the fate of many (Lillie turns away slightly distressed)
"So he's basically taking a gamble?" Ouranus said.
"Yes and no. 50/50 on a gamble and taking an act of faith."
Lillie: I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
GANDALF: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Lillie, besides the will of evil. Mia was meant to find the Ring, in which case you also were meant to have it and that is an encouraging thought.
At hearing those words many were touched by the wisdom. Welf and Hestia put their hands on Lillie and smiled at her.
(he raises his eyebrows) Oh! Its that way
Chloe: He's remembered (She jumps up)
GANDALF:(at the entrance to one doorway) No, but the air doesnt smell so foul down here. If in doubt, Chloe, always follow your nose.
They all get up and follow Gandalf out. They come out of the passageway into a great cavern with many columns arising from floor to ceiling
GANDALF: Let me risk a little more light (he holds up his staff and shines its light on the cavern) Behold the great realm and dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf.
A huge cavern is revealed, filled with ornate columns stretching as far as the eye can see
"Woah."
Finn: There's an eye-opener and no mistake
They walk through the center of the magnificent city.
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Suddenly Gareth spots a room in front of them and runs towards it
Gareth: Oh!
GANDALF: Gareth!
Gareth kneels in front of the tomb in the centre of the room
Gareth: No, no (he bows his head) no
The rest of the Fellowship follow him in. Gandalf walks up to the tomb and reads the Dwarven rhunes inscripted upon it
GANDALF: Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria. (Gareth is distraught) He is dead then. (he removes his hat) Its as I feared.
At knowing the fate of the dwarf Gareth bowed his head in respect to the scene.
Gareth cries. Gandalf notices a skeleton next to the tomb holding a large book. (It's Ori from the Hobbit). He passes his hat and staff to Anya and picks it up. Pages fall out of it. Gandalf blows off the dust.
LEGOLAS:(to Bell) We must move on, we cannot linger.
GANDALF:(reading from the book) They have taken the Bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums (Anya is walking backwards looking around her) Drums in the deep. We cannot get out.
At hearing the words many felt a certain dread as they could only imagine the scene.
Filvis was most affected as she was brought right back to the Massacre. She was about to lose it before she felt a hand grab onto her as Lefiya looked at her in worry and care.
(everyone is looking around them nervously) A shadow moves in the dark. (Anya glances behind her at a well on which a skeleton is sat holding chains) We cannot get out. They are coming.
Anya reaches out a hand to touch the arrow in the skeleton's hand. Its head falls off and into the well, bouncing off the walls. Gandalf turns around swiftly as the whole skeleton, and the chains it holds fall into the well. It bounces down, echoes are heard throughout the mines. Anya grimaces. Everyone holds their breath, but nothing is heard. Bell and Boromir breathe a sigh of relief.
Everyone watching was equally horrified and stunned silent. Sharing in the fear and being still as stone.
Beforethey all let out a sigh of relief.
"YOU STUPID FUCKING GIRL!!!" Allen and Bete scream at her.
"I-I'm sorry." Anya tried to say.
"Are you trying to get them killed?!" Rose snarked in as well.
Looking for help Anya looked to her fellow staff but they just looked away, crossing their arms.
GANDALF:(closing the book) Fool of a Took! (he puts down the book and takes back his hat and staff) Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity!
Anya looks folorn. As Gandalf turns away a drum is heard. The drums get louder and faster. Everyone looks around. Lillie looks at Lillie's sword
"Dam."
"Oh no."
Finn: Lillie!
Lillie unsheaths her sword which is glowing blue. A screeching is heard.
LEGOLAS: Orcs!
Boromir runs to the doors.Two arrows fly past his head, narrowly missing him, and stick into the door.
"Woah!"
Bell:(to the hobbits) Get back! and stay close to Gandalf.
Gandalf puts his arms around them. Boromir shuts the doors quickly. Bell comes to help him barr it shut
BOROMIR: They have a cave troll!
"Trolls?!"
Legolas throws axes to them to barr the door. Gandalf draws his sword. The hobbits copy. The doors are being battered. Gareth gets up on Balin's tomb
Gareth: Agh! Let them come There's one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath.
Bell and Legolas have their bows drawn. Boromir stands with his sword at the ready. As the door is battered down, Legolas fires an arrow through a hole in it. An orc screeches. Bell fires an arrow. The door is broken down and orcs run in.
"I hate swarms." Raul said as others nodded
The fellowship fight off the orcs with arrows and swords. Finn suddenly pauses in the fight. Bell looks over to the door as a cave troll, enters, a broken chain around his neck, bashing the walls with his fists. It roars. Legolas fires an arrow into its chest. It sees Finn and raises its club above his head to strike Lillie. Finn dives through its legs, confusing it. It turns and follows it. Bell and Boromir pulls on the chain around its neck
Bell:Pull!
The troll stumbles backwards and swings around to face them. Boromir is still holding the chain, when the troll grabs hold of it and uses it to fling him against a wall. An orc advances on the dazed Boromir. Bell throws a knife into its neck.
"Nice throw." Welf said
Boromir looks at him. Bell nods. The troll smashes its club into the tomb, causing Gareth to fall to the ground. Lillie, Chloe and Anya hide behind a pillar. The troll continues to swipe with its club, sending orcs flying and Gareth to the ground. Legolas stands in front of it, two arrows loaded in his bow and fires, sending it stumbling. Gandalf fights the orcs with sword and staff. Legolas from on a platform fights off some orc. The troll heads for him, swinging his chain at him. Legolas ducks and weaves to avoid it. The chain wraps itself around a pillar. Legolas stands on the chain, then nimbly walks up it to the trolls head. He stands on its shoulders and fires an arrow into its head. The troll screams and reaches for Legolas who nimbly jumps down. The chain snaps, leaving just a collar.
Meanwhile Finn fights the orcs, hitting them on the head with his frying pan.
"Hah the most under rated weapon out there!" Mia said smiling.
Finn: Think I'm getting the hang of this.
"Atta Boy!" Mia said in agreement and praise
The troll finds Chloe, Anya and Lillie. They look at it in horror. Chloe and Anya run to one side as the troll smashes his club down. Bell shouts to Lillie admist the fight
Bell: Lillie!
Lillie hides behind a pillar. The troll's face appears around the pillar sniffing. Bell fights his way over to Lillie. The troll goes around to the other side of the pillar as Lillie sidles around it. As Lillie sidles around, once the troll is gone, she breathes a sigh of relief. Suddenly the troll's face appears in front of her and roars. Lillie stumbles back into a corner. The troll reaches out and grabs her by the foot, dragging her along. She shouts for Bell.
"Lillie!!" Hestia screams as she covers her mouth in horror
Lillie:Bell! (he grabs hold of a pillar as he is dragged) Bell!
Bell: Lillie!
Bell rushes over to her. The troll pulls Lillie off the ledge and she drops to the floor. Bell jumps down in front of the troll as it lifts its club to strike. He drives a spear into its chest.The troll screams. Anya and Chloe throw rocks at its head. The troll takes a swipe at Bell, flinging him across the room where he falls, knocked out.
"Bell!"
Lillie hurries over to him. The troll behind her, pulls the stake from his chest and plunges it at Lillie. Lillie moves quickly and the stake goes into the wall instead. She dodges the troll as it lunges for her again. She tries to run away, but the troll blocks her path. Lillie falls back against a wall. The troll plunges its spear into Lillie's chest. Lillie gasps.
"LILLIE!!!" Her familia screams in horror.
The others looked on in mute shock and or horror. While some others (Allen, Bete, Otarl.) Shake there heads
"No." Cassandra said in mute horror as she covers her mouth as she silently cries.
The guild staff frown or turn away in horror as soon as they saw the blow.
Gandalf turns around. Chloe and Anya look on in horror as Lillie gasps for breath. The troll snorts. Chloe and Anya look at each other and run towards the troll, swords at the ready. They jump onto its back and attack it. Gandalf looks on. Lillie suddenly notices
Finn: Lillie!
Lillie gasps again.
Finn: Lillie!
Finn fights his way over to Lillie, as do Gandalf and Boromir. Lillie collapses on the ground. Chloe and Anya continue to stab the troll, still on its back. It reaches up and grabs Chloe, dangling her by her legs and throws her to the ground as Gareth faces the troll, attacking it with his axe. The troll swipes him to the ground. Gandalf attacks it. Legolas stands in front of the troll and draws an arrow and fires it directly into its mouth. The troll groans and stumbles. They watch it, as it stumbles and falls to the ground, flinging Chloe (who is still on its back) to the floor. Gandalf hurries over to Lillie. Bell crawls over to Lillie as Finn watches on.
Bell: Oh no!
Bell turns Lillie over. She gasps and groans.
"She's alive!?" Raul said in surprise. Before he smacked us head and yelled. "I forgot Mia gave her that Mithril.
At hearing his words did they finally remember such an important event. And with that they all sighed in relief and shared a laugh as well. Welf even going so far as patting Lillie. He wasn't alone as the rest of her Familia patted her or hugged her in relief. She herself still didn't understand the reactions as she's fine.
Finn can't beleive he's alive and rushes over. Lillie holds his chest.
Lillie :(breathing a sigh of relief) He's alive!
Gandalf breathes in relief. Lillie sits up and looks around
Lillie: I'm alright. I'm not hurt.
Bell: You should be dead. That spear would have skewered a wild boar
GANDALF: I think there's more to this hobbit than meets the eye.
Lillie parts her shirt to reveal the Mithril vest. Lillie touches it
Gareth:(looking on in awe) Mithril! You are full of surprises Lady Baggins!
"Remind me to place an order for Mithril." Finn said to Riveria who nodded
Gandalf looks around as he hears screeches behind them and shadows approaching
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GANDALF: To the Bridge of Khazad-dm
The Fellowship run out of the tomb area, orcs swarm behind them.
"Gods. Look at all of them."
"I fear even you would have eventually have a hard time facing them in that space." Freya wispheard to Otarl who only hummed with a nod as well.
They glance around themselves to see thousands of orcs chasing them, climbing out of cracks in the floor, out of the roof and down the great columns. Eventually they are forced to stop, completely surrounded by orcs. They hold their weapons out before them.
"This can't be how it ends!" Loki said at seeing how hopeless the situation was.
"They have no chance." Finn said sadly.
"Not Even Otarl couldcome out of that one." Raul said
Then a great roar is heard from a archway, which glows red.
Though it was only heard and not seen, the roar of the Balrog struck EVERYONE there. If they thought they were scared and horrified at seeing just the image of the Balrog than hearing it made it beyond even the fear of the OEBD.
"No." Haruhime said as she and every other beast folks base instinct began to kick in. Their tails standing straight up and fuzzed out as they began to tense in an near animalistic instinct to run. For the werewolf's their eyes even turned slitted.
The cats began to curl and Anya and Anakitty let out a couple of Hisses
"W-no. P-p-please say it's not the Balrog." Chigusa stutters out in fear at hearing such an unnatural roar.
The gods were effected as well as they had never seen nor heard of such a primal evil...was primal even the right word? That realization struck them equally as the darkness behind the roar. There was no word they knew of to describe what was playing out before them.
Otarl instinctively put his arm over Freya as she just watched on in silent stupefied horror or was it awe.
The elves were almost equally effected as the beast folk but on a different level. Being a more... spiritually and magic and nature tuned race.
Ais was stunned in silence as her blood was pumping. It was something she seldom ever felt in her life. She felt excited.
The Amazon' felt like they were literally in a fight or die situation.
The orcs look round worried. The roar is heard again, the orcs screech in terror and scatter. Gareth grins. A low roar is heard again and the glowing red draws nearer.
BOROMIR: What is this new devilment ?
Gandalf closes his eyes and thinks hard, as if he is dreading telling what is there. As he open his eyes, the red glow covers the entrance path of columns in front of them
GANDALF: A balrog, a demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you RUN!
They run as fast as they can, leaving the cavern of columns. Boromir races head, down some steps, but suddenly finds the steps end above a great chasm. He teeters on the edge trying not to fall, Legolas runs up behind him and pulls him back away from the edge. Gandalf stumbles in last.
Bell:(looking at Gandalf concerned) Gandalf!
GANDALF: Lead them on Bell. The Bridge is near!
The narrow bridge gaps the two sides of the great chasm. A roar is heard behind them as the red firey glow draws closer.
"They have to go quicker!" Raul said as he wanted this to end quickly as he didn't like the way this was effecting Anakitty. Even if it meant she was clinging onto him as if trying to merge into one person.
GANDALF:(pushing Bell away) Do as I say! (Bell looks at him confused. Gandalf walks past him) Swords are of no more use here.
They turn to the right and run down the steps in front of them, which wind their way to the Bridge. Suddenly they reach a break, a gap in the staircase, which is too wide to step over. Legolas nimbly jumps the gap and looks expectantly at the others. Gandalf looks puzzled. They hear a roar again behind them as the roof above starts to crumble.
LEGOLAS:(beckoning) Gandalf!
Gandalf jumps over the gap to join Legolas. Arrows fire out of the air, narrowly missing Boromir and the hobbits.
"Now the Orcs are back!?"
Legolas turns, aims one arrow and shoots the orc firing directly in the head.
BOROMIR: Chloe! Anya! (he takes each hobbit under each arm and jumps with them. As he does so, a greater chunk of the steps they were standing on, falls away)
gasp!*
Legolas continues to aim at the orcs firing at them, killing them.
Bell: Finn! (he picks him up and throws him across the gap to Boromir, then looks at Gareth )
Gareth:(holding up his hand) Nobody tosses a dwarf!
"Bows not the time for dwarven pride Gareth!" Tione yelled
(he takes a mighty leap and lands teetering on the other side. Legolas reaches out to stop him falling, grabbing his beard) not the beard!
Bell fires an arrow at the orcs, as Legolas pulls Gareth to safety. Suddenly more of the steps they have just left fall away. Bell throws Lillie to safety further up the steps and clings onto the stairs as a great portion of them fall into the chasm. The gap now, is too wide to jump. The rest of the Fellowship look worried. Lillie wobbles on her feet
"Do something Bell!"
Bell:(standing up and holding Lillie's back) Steady! Hold on!
The doorway entrance behind them glows red. A great roar comes from just behind it.
The doorway and roof above crumble, and a great chunk of rock falls from the roof, into the staircase behind Bell and Lillie, creating another great gap. They are now isolated on the staircase. The column on which this part of the staircase is, begins to crack and the staircase sways.
Bell:(holding Lillie's clothing from behind) Hang on!
The staircase on which they are standing continues to sway from side to side. Everyone looks frightenend.
Bell: Lean forward!
The staircase sways then falls forward towards the rest of the Fellowship.
LEGOLAS:(holds out his arms) Come on!
Bell and Lillie jump. Legolas grabs hold of Bell, Boromir of Lillie.
"Yes!!"
As they run down the remaining staircase, the part of the staircase they were standing on collapses completely, falling into the chasm.
They run onto another room. The whole place is now in flames
GANDALF: Over the Bridge! (the flames grow higher. Gandalf waits for the others to pass) Fly!
They run past Gandalf, who turns towards the growing flames. From out of the midst of the flames a great black, winged creature with a horned head appears. He roars at Gandalf, breathing fire from his mouth.
"AHHHH!!!" Haruhime and Mikoto screamed as they both bury's themselves into Bell.
Bell looked on in muted horror as this was nothing compared to his experience's with Minotaur' he knew this was something no adventure could face. He wonders if a god could even face such a thing.
The gods looked in shocked horror at finally seeing the Balrog for the first time. They knew this was something nothing on their world could face..not without direct godly intervention and even then.
The mortals knew they were facing death. Nothing they knew of could ever come close to such a monster. They knew if there was such a creature it could be equal if not greater then the one eyed black dragon. And they knew that no adventure lived that could take on such a vicious demon.
The elves were on the verge of passing out.
Chigusa threw up as Ouka and Takemazuchi tried there best to console her.
The Loki familia were reacting in various way. Finn had a look of true horror.
Cassandra was sweating In horror as if she was living a nightmare.
Naza grabbed hold of Miach' hand as her tail and ears were on full mast and was growling at the site.
Ais was the least effected out of the whole group. Yes she was experiencing a flashback of her mother and the dragon and her at the same time she was desiring a fight against this creature believing that if she could defeat it she could face the dragon and save her mother.
Everyone here felt fear and it was truly an event as they were not even there. That was truly telling.
"E-E-E-EDVH." Hestia managed to get out.
"P-please tell me that we don't have one of those things in the dungeon!" She pleaded. Oh how she pleaded and pleaded. With every once of her being she hoped and begged EDVH would say no. But to everyone's shocked horror EDVH simply said "There might be."
It walks after them with great strides, as one by one, the Fellowship cross the narrow bridge, Gandalf taking up the rear. Half way across the bridge, he stops and turns to face the Balrog
GANDALF: You cannot pass!
"What's he doing!?" Mikoto yelled shocked.
"He's the only one who can fight him." Armid said remembering that he and the demon were of equal power.
Lillie:(looking at Gandalf in horror) Gandalf!
The balrog stretches its wings and draws itself up to full height in front of Gandalf
GANDALF: I am the Servant of the Secret Fire. Wielder of the Flame of Anor.
The balrog reaches down and draws its sword in front of Gandalf, and holds it high above its head.
GANDALF: The dark fire will not avail you. (he holds out his staff in front of him, glowing white) Flame of Udn!
The balrog brings its sword down upon Gandalf who protects himself with his staff, bringing a crash and flash of great light. It drops its sword and roars at Gandalf
The adventures and gods watched in stunned horror and amazement
GANDALF: Go back to the shadow!
The balrog puts out a cloven foot onto the bridge. He wields a great firey whip above its head.
"Woah!"
GANDALF:You shall not pass! (he raises his sword and staff above his head and brings his staff down hard upon the Bridge)
"Tell him Gandalf!!!" The twins scream as if it would help him.
The balrog snorts at him, raises his whip and takes another step forward. As he does so, the Bridge collapses and the balrog falls into the chasm.
"YES!!" The twins screamed at seeing the Balrog be defeated.
The beast folk let out sighs of relief as their instincts began to dim.
The elves also letting out sighs of relief as they began to relax.
However.
Gandalf grunts and turns to walk away. As he does so, the tail end of the balrog's whip snakes up and around his ankle, dragging him down.
GASP!!" Everyone did that shocked at seeing Gandalf be pulled down.
"No." Lillie said.
Everyone was brought back to the edge as they watched helplessly as He clings onto the edge of the bridge. Lillie dashes towards him, but Boromir holds him back.
BOROMIR:No!
Lillie:Gandalf!
Gandalf tries to hold on by his fingertips.
GANDALF:(looking at them for a last time) Fly you fools! ( he falls into the chasm)
"GANDALF!" Haruhime, Lillie, Chigusa, Cassandra, the twins, Lefiya, Raul and Anakitty all scream.
The captain and executives of Loki gasped in horror at seeing his fall.
The gods bowed their heads.
And everyone else looked on in defeated horror.
Lillie:NOOoooooooooooooo!
She struggles against Boromir who is holding her. Bell is looking on in disbelief.
BOROMIR: Bell! (he takes Lillie and runs)
Bell pauses. Then turns and runs dodging the arrows firing after him.
They run outside, leaving Moria. The Fellowship all collapse heartbroken, Boromir holds back a angry Gareth. Chloe is holding a crying and distraught Anya, Legolas looks folorn, Finn is weeping and Bell wipes his sword.
"I-I killed him." Anya said now crying.
"No you didn't don't even think that!" Syr/Hellen said as she tried to comfort the girl who was distraught at the loss of Gandalf.
Bell: Legolas! Get them up!
BOROMIR:Give them a moment! For pities sake!
Bell: By nightfall this hills will be swarming with orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlrien.
"A wise decision." Takemazuchi said even though he wished there was time.
Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gareth , get them up ! (he reaches a tearful Finn and lifts him) On your feet Finn, (he pats him on the shoulder) Lillie? (he sees Lillie walking away in the distance) Lillie!
Lillie, stops walking and turns to face Bell, tears rolling down her face.
Did I over do it with their reactions of the Balrog? Yes and I actually took out a few sentences as well but what ever.
Apologies for the long wait. I've been busy with building a shed from scratch and it's taken longer than believed as well as a few important appointments at the doctors and one on base as well But here you go.
Anyway next chapter is the explanation and history from the Sillmaillion. And knowing that there is a LOT of things there. When you explain and read one thing other stories and questions come.
I've realized that it would be better to do the explanations in chapters spread out over the series.
Anyway please enjoy the read especially if you have been hungered down because of Ian.