Iron Stars

Chapter 18: Fire and Light

TA 3019
Moria

     They wasted no time in racing away. Even if they knew not what hunted them, they saw Gandalf and Ruinë's fear and that was enough to make them nervous. If their greatest warriors seemed fearful, they ought to be terrified. The front part of the group began to cross a gap in the stairs, Legolas and Boromir leading.

      Aragorn slowed beside her and Gandalf, "Gandalf," he began.

     "Lead them on Aragorn, the bridge is near," retorted the wizard. "Do as I say! Swords are of no more use here."

     Ruinë laid her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Let me, please Gandalf. They have more need of you than I," she said.

     The wizard shook his head. "No, my friend, they and this world have more need of you than any know yet. Go."

     Ruinë wished not to flee but trusted the wizard. Her friend. She turned and raced down the stairs. They reached another gap in the stairs and Gandalf and Legolas crossed first. Orcs began to fire down at them causing Legolas, Aragorn and Ruinë to fire back. Her and Legolas' arrows made their marks most times, their elvish eyesight aiding them. However they numbered only 3 against an onslaught. They would not last long.

     Boromir grabbed Merry and Pippin, one under each arm, and then leapt the gap. The stone crumbled under their feet, forcing those remaining to back up. Ruinë tried not to notice how far down the stones fell. Aragorn soon threw Sam across the gap before turning to Gimli.

     "Nobody tosses a Dwarf," he said before attempting the gap himself. He fell slightly short forcing Legolas to grab his beard to pull him up. "Not the beard," cried the dwarf.

Aragorn then turned to her but she shook her head, gesturing for him and Frodo to go first. The stone crumbed again forcing the trio to back up again. Ruinë gritted her teeth, focusing on balancing.

     Aragorn grabbed onto Frodo as Ruinë put her bow away standing at the Ranger's side. Behind them another gap opened up, the small section they stood on swaying now. Aragorn had them lean forwards and he and Frodo soon crossed. Ruinë followed soon after, making the jump with relative ease.

     They soon had to cross a narrow bridge, Gandalf and Ruinë remaining behind. She gave him a glance and then followed the group. Under her breath she cursed the dwarves for making their bridges safety hazards. Did they never consider having to run from a demon from ages past? She wondered why.

     Upon reaching the other side, she turned a spotted the beast. A monstrous creature with two curved horns upon its head, curled and sharp as arrows. A shadow burning with eyes that wished only for death. A nightmare incarnate. In the middle of the bridge, Gandalf faced down the beast, sword and staff in hand.

     "You cannot pass! I am the servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn!" His staff glowed brilliantly, creating a barrier between him and the beast. The creature produced a flaming sword, when that was vanquished a whip of fire.

  "Go back to the Shadow! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"

     His words thundered through the hall and the Balrog took a step forward. Instantly the thin bridge crumbled. Maybe there was a reason the dwarves only made bridges that were safety hazards. Down went the beast, falling into darkness.

The wizard turned. A whip shot up. And Gandalf was clinging to the bridge, hanging over an infinite abyss.

     Ruinë's eyes met the wizard's. He sent her a kind smile, one that he had given her when they first met.