Run It Back Again (Part 2)

Chapter 25

We ran out and down the halls, following Gandalf. I noted how I still limped and felt dizzy, but I ignored it. Boromir ran beside me, helping make sure I didn't fall over or anything. Behind us, the hobbits hurried along. Suddenly, we were surrounded at all sides. I growled softly as I clutched my sword staff, ready to defend myself if needed, and sniffed the air. Something smelled off...

"Hey, guys..." We froze when we heard a roar that shook the ground beneath our feet. All around us, the goblins started screeching and running away. I swallowed hard as I watched a fiery light approach from the far hall. "What on earth is that...?" Gandalf shook his head.

"Run!" With that, we were running again.

We followed Gandalf through the labyrinth of mines, trying to find the way out. We ran down the narrow paths, trying to make it to the other side of the large chasm. Before we reached the huge gap in the path, Aragorn froze and us. He turned back and looked at all of us.

"We'll have to jump." I looked down and nearly retched out the contents of my stomach. It was so high...

"I'll go first!" With that, Legolas jumped across. He then turned and motioned for the next person. I started to go, but Boromir stopped me.

"Let me go next... That way, I can catch you if you need me." I nodded and watched him leap across the gap. Finally, I took a deep breath and jumped.

I about fell when I hit the ledge of the other side, but, before I could so much as lean forward or back to catch myself, Boromir and Legolas caught me. Boromir pulled me away from the ledge as Legolas motioned for the next person. Aragorn started to throw the hobbits and Gimili, but he stopped at Gimili, who protested.

"No one throws a dwarf!" With that, Gimili jumped. He caught the edge of the ledge, but he started to fall back. Legolas caught him by his beard and pulled him to safety. All who was left was Gandalf, Aragorn, and Frodo. I watched as the foundation of the path started to crumble under them.

"Hurry!" Boromir noticed it, too.

"Jump! Jump now!" But, before any of the could, the pathway started to tilt right at us. I shoved Boromir out of the way and reached out to catch Frodo as the path crashed into our side of the pathway. I scooted him towards the center of the path and looked over at Aragorn, who was already starting down the path again.

"Let's go!" With that, we were off again. We ran until we could see the light of the opening. I smiled a little as we hurried along.

"We're almost there!" However, a terrifying roar came from somewhere behind us. I froze as I turned and saw a huge, fiery bull coming right at us. Gandalf shoved me from behind, forcing me forward a few steps.

"Keep going!" Boromir grabbed my arm and pulled me along, but I stopped when I realized Gandalf was just standing there. He turned to face Aragorn. "Get them to safety..." I pulled my arm free as I watched Gandalf turn back to face the creature.

"Gandalf! No!" Aragorn caught me before I could reach Gandalf.

"We have to keep moving, Era. It's far beyond us now..." I struggled against him, trying to free myself as the huge creature reared and lashed out with its huge whip. Legolas was firing arrows at the attcking goblins, and Gimili and Boromir were trying to keep the hobbits moving. My eyes never once left the scene unfolding before us.

"You shall not pass!" With that, the path gave out from beneath the creature's feet, and the creature fell, but I knew it wasn't the end.

Right as Gandalf turned back towards us, the creature's whip lashed out at his feet, dragging him towards the bottomless drop below. I struggled even harder against Aragorn, trying to free myself and rush to his aid when he looked right at us. Behind me, Frodo fought against Boromir as Gandalf spoke.

"Run, you fools..." With that, he let go.

Frodo screamed as I roared in anger. Aragorn picked me up from behind and carried me out, followed by the others. He refused to put me down until we reached the outside world. By that time, my anger had worn down to sorrow. As soon as he set me down, I burst into tears.

"Era, please pull yourself together. We all need you." I looked up at Aragorn, screaming at him.

"Why didn't you let me go? I could have helped him, and you held me back! This is your fault!" All around us, everyone shifted uncomfortably. The hobbits were in tears, and Boromir, Gimili, and Legolas watched us carefully. Finally, Aragorn knelt down beside me and responded.

"I'm sorry, Era, but you would have been in danger. I couldn't stand by and let you run off into a hopeless situation..." I glared at him through my tears.

"But, you're more than willing to let Gandalf do the same?" He sighed and shook his head.

"Gandalf knew what he was getting into." With that, he stood as Boromir knelt down beside me, holding me close, and nodded at Legolas. "Get them up and ready." Boromir looked up at him.

"Let them rest, for pity's sake!" Aragorn shook his head.

"There'll be goblins on us in the hour if we do not leave soon. We must make for Lothloria." I sniffed and wiped the tears from my eyes as Boromir looked between Aragorn and I.

"He's right. We must leave..." Boromir stood and helped me to my feet while Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimili gathered the hobbits.

"I'm sorry, Era... Gandalf was a good friend." I nodded.

If only you knew...

*Skyrena's Pov-

"I'll only ask you this once again, my lady..." Sauroman turned to face me. "Where is your daughter?" I glared at him.

"I'd never tell you, even if I did know!" He sighed and shook his head as he turned to look at the Orcs that were gathering around.

"Then, I'll have my friends find her for me."