Running to You (LOTR- Legolas and O/C)

Ch. 10- Showdown with a Balrog

Playlist-
The Bridge of Khazad-dûm
Already Gone-Sleeping At Last
London Calling-Michael Giacchino

(Third Person POV)

The Balrog, a massive creature that stood 40 feet high, a man-beast with a mane of flames, rose from a chasm. In one hand it held a blade, the other held a whip. Aragorn leads the Fellowship to the top of a dizzying staircase while Gandalf followed behind them, leaning heavily on his staff. Arellia and Elios slowed to be close to the old wizard in case something were to happen to him.

"My dear girl you must continue on with the others. Lead them to the bridge."

"Gandalf I-"

"Ari you must listen to what I say. Your swords are no use here. You have an undiscovered power within you but that is still no match for this devilry. Now GO!"

Arellia signaled for Elios to follow her and the two of them raced after the rest of the fellowship. There was a steep stairway that led to a narrow bridge. Aragorn grabbed Frodo and leaped over a gaping chasm. Next was Gimli.

   "Nobody tosses a dwarf!" He yells as he jumps to join Frodo.

   The fellowship race across the narrow stone bridge. Gandalf, the last to step foot on the bridge, pauses in the middle. With his staff in one hand and sword in another, he faces the Balrog!

"Gandalf!" Frodo yelled in alarm. Arellia turned to see what was happening. Elios was already on the other side with some of the others and barked at the woman to get her attention. But she would not have it. Her eyes were glued on to the old wizard.

"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun."

Arellia steps forth but his pulled back by her brother. They all watch as the Balrog puts one foot on the bridge and draws up to its full height, the beasts wings spreading from wall to wall. Compared to its enormous size, Gandalf is but a tiny figure, balanced precariously on the bridge.

"Go back to the shadow!" Gandalf yells. The Balrog slashes at him with its sword of flame. The old wizard blocks with his own sword. This caused a ringing clash and the Balrogs sword shatters into molten fragments in front of Gandalf.

"You shall not pass!" Gandalf's voice boomed. The Balrog placed a single foot on the bridge. Aragorn, Arellia and Boromir race forward with swords drawn. Gandalf cries out as he summons the last bit of strength he can. He thumps the bridge with his staff causing a bright, blinding sheet of white flame to spring up. His staff shatters! The bridge cracks and breaks at the Balrog's feet. The stone bridge drops into the dark chasm below and, for just a moment, the great beast remains poised in the air then plunges down. Relief washed over Frodo's face as he watched the Balrog fall. Gandalf, however, was not relieved one bit. He remained trembling on the lip of the broke bridge. The color in his face had faded and he now looked his age; worn and tired. Suddenly a whip of fire lash out, curling around Gandalf's knees.

   "GANDALF!!" Arellia screamed as she thrashed against her brother. Aragorn managed to grab her just before she could jump for Gandalf as he was pulled over the brink of the bridge. The wizard managed to grab hold of the ledge before he fell into the darkness. 

   "Fly, you fools!"

  Gandalf let's go of his grip and falls away, following the Balrog into the abyss. Frodo cries out. Boromir scooped him up and Carrie's him after Legolas, Gimli and the other three hobbits. Aragorn struggles to pull a screaming Arellia away from the scene and after the others. Elios was hot on their trail and tried to comfort his companion as best he could but she was hysterical. The Fellowship tumble out of the Great Eastern Gate on to a grassy hillside. Sam, Merry and Pippin all fall to the ground sobbing. Arellia sank to her knees at Aragorn's feet and screamed out once more, hot tears running down her face. Aragorn sinks down in front of his sister and cups her face with his hands. Elios rested his head on the girl's shoulder, sighing heavily against her.

   "Ari...," he whispered. "We need to continue on." She remained silent.

   "Aragorn, give her a moment for pity's sake!" Boromir scolded Aragorn. Aragorn stood and looked at the man.

   "By nightfall these hills will be surrounded with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Now come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up. I will get Ari."

  Arellia's POV-

We continued on for Lothlorien perhaps two hours ago and had just now reached the forest. The grief was still heavy upon myself and the hobbits. Gandalf had become a dear friend over the years, another mentor like Thorin. I wish I could deny that he was gone, that somehow he had survived but there was no possible way one could survive a Balrog. Not even wizards can escape death.

Elios had not left my side. He'd brush up against my legs every so often, ensuring I knew he was there. And when he did, I'd muster up a sad smile and pat his soft black head. Aragorn led the way through the forest, looking back at the rest of us occasionally. The hobbits walked alongside Boromir and Gimli, both of whom tried to cheer them up by telling stories or jokes. For a while I knew Legolas took to the back of us. That is, until his voice snapped me from my thoughts and I had realize he was walking on the other side of me. Shaking my head a little, I looked up at him.

"Hm?"

"I asked how you were fairing, Ari."

"It's like losing Thorin and Fili and Kili all over again..." I had slowed down and stopped when I could feel the wave of sadness rush over me. Tears fell uncontrollably and a sob raked over my body. "Legolas how many more of my friends, people I love, must die?! I can't do this!"

"Gurth na- thand -o cuil, cin heni- hi (Death is a part of life, you know this)." His voice was hardly above a whisper but just loud enough for me to hear. It wasn't stern, like a father trying to scold a child, or a captain ordering a soldier. His voice wasn't cold or emotionless, much like his father's. No, it was comforting and smooth, like the silk sheets I had in Rivendell. I always found his voice so calming, so welcoming. And even though I swore to hate him for all that he has done for the rest of my life, I could not bring myself to it. I could not bring myself to believe that promise. I step forward and wrap my arms around his torso, laying my head against his chest. He stood stiff for a moment then quickly relaxed, his own arms wrapping around me.

The embrace lasted quite a few moments. We remained silent until finally I looked up at him, our arms still wrapped around each other.

    "Le hanna (thank you)," I whispered. He smiles faintly and nods, pushing a stray hair behind my ear.

    "Dorth- bui cín haer na nin vedui chwest (I'll stay by your side till my last breath)."

I had to admit, when he said things like this, when he speaks to me like im the most valuable treasure to ever inhabit Middle Earth, feelings i thought I no longer wanted to have for him resurfaced. And when I looked into his eyes just now, they held such warmth and adoration I had missed so dearly. You see, some time ago, before ever meeting Thorin or the boys, before Legolas thought he fell in love with Tauriel, he shared with me his true feelings for me. At the time, I felt the same. King Thranduil forbade us for ever even considering acting on those feelings and we foolishly obeyed him, even though I technically did not have to listen to a word he said to me. At that time I had been on a diplomatic assignment by Lord Elrond to visit Greenwood. I left soon after and did not return until years later when I arrived with the company. Legolas and I had run ins here and there, all of which were nothing more than two best friends rekindling the friendship. He had mentioned a great elven warrior, Captain of the Guard. He spoke highly of her. I had met her few times from my visits to the kingdom but never got close to her. She was cold and hard to warm up to. What he saw in her, I still have no idea. Nevertheless, him claiming that he had found his One crushed me. I thought I had lost him forever, not until he left me for decades without explanation. But now, standing here, looking into those blue eyes, I realize those feelings never left me. I realize it was now or never...

And I suppose my streak of bad luck decided to continue on.

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Ohh i know y'all just love a good cliff hanger lol!! Don't worry, next chapter will be out soon enough. Thank you all for the continued support and love! I am putting together a playlist for this book on Spotify. Once I've added a few more songs I'll share it at the beginning of one of the chapters!

-K