The Princes Shadow

Chapter 13

Emerin POV~

Gandalf was speaking with Frodo, but I didn't pay attention. I couldn't stop thinking about what Legolas had said. Perhaps he felt that I was starting to get over-protective. I should give him more space. 

"Ah!" Gandalf exclaimed, "It's that way."

I quickly stood up and stood beside Aragorn,

"He's remembered!" Merry also began to stand up,

"No. But the air doesn't smell so foul down here. If in doubt Meriadoc, always follow your nose." Gandalf led the way, and we all followed.

I made a point to not be too close to Legolas, not wanting to bother him. As we made our way into a cavernous space, Gandalf began to speak once more,

"Let me risk a little more light," His staff's light brightened, revealing the vast space of architecture. Everyone stared in awe, "Behold, the great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf."

"there's an eye opener, no mistake," Sam wore an amazed look on his face, I myself was quite impressed. We came across a door to a room, and I watched as Gimli sprinted towards it. We all followed him, and then I heard his cries of sorrow,

"Gimli!" Gandalf warned,

"No! No! Oh no," He kneeled in front of a large coffin. We had all entered the room, and I felt a pang of sadness while watching Gimli's saddened face,

"Her lies Balin... Son of Fundin, Lord of Moria," Gandalf read what was written on the coffin. I remembered Balin. He was one of the Dwarves who we had taken prisoner 70 years ago. A member of the Company of Thorin Oakenshield, "He is dead then." Gandalf removed his hat, "It is as I feared."

Gimli continued to cry. Gandalf walked towards another skeleton that was holding a book, and removed the book from its arms, handing his hat and staff to Pippin. He opened the book and began to skim through it,

"We must move on. We cannot linger." Legolas spoke my mind, 

"They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums... Drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming." Gandalf looked up from the book after reading the cryptic message in the log. I looked over to see Pippin touching a skeleton. Before I could say anything, the skeleton fell down the well, creating a loud ruckus. Gandalf head snapped to look at Pippin,

"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity." Gandalf snatched his things out of Pippins hands. 

All of a sudden, I heard drums. Everyone looked around. Frodo unsheathed his sword to reveal that it was glowing blue,

"Frodo!" Sam looked at him,

"Orcs!" Legolas went to help Boromir shut the gate. An arrow wizzed past Boromir, nearly hitting him,

"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf." Aragorn ordered the Hobbits. He and Boromir shut the doors and used an axe to bar the doors. I notched an arrow, and took aim, preparing to shoot,

"They have a cave troll!" Boromir seemed frustrated, as were we. Legolas stood beside me and readied his bow as well. The Orcs were at the door and were trying to break it down.,

"Let them come! There is one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!" Gimli stood up and readied his axe. The door splintered, and as soon as he saw an opening, Legolas shot an arrow, killing an orc. Finally the door broke down completely, and orcs and goblins flowed in. I began to shoot them, one by one, striking them down. I drew my sword, and began slicing through the orcs. Blood splattered all over my clothes as I killed more and more of these foul creatures. I stopped when I saw a monstrous cave troll stumble in. It was huge. Legolas shot at it, but it did not die. I continued to kill goblins, trying to advance towards the troll to kill it. I got preoccupied, and let it out of my sight for a few moments. I heard a few cries, and assumed someone got hurt. I saw Frodo, with a contorted face of pain. I saw the stake that had been plunged into his body. Lastly I saw the ugly troll. I ran towards it as fast as I could. I jumped up on a rock and pushed myself off from there, landing on the troll. I dug my sword through it's back, but was unsuccessful in killing it. It grabbed me by my foot and dangled me in front of it for a moment. My bow and quiver slides off of me while I was upside down, leaving me with my two daggers that were strapped to my thighs. I swung myself up and grabbed one of my daggers, digging it into the trolls arm. When it let go, I scrambled back up were I yanked my sword out of its back, and dug it into its head. It began to stumble forwards then backwards, and finally fell. Dead. I ran over and grabbed my bow and quiver, sliding them back on and tightening the straps. Next I sprinted to where everyone was soon surrounding Frodo.