A Half Elf's Love

Flames and Shadows

Elladan set me down so we could all run. As we did, we unfortunately were being chased by a massive hoard of orcs. They were like spiders or bugs, crawling from every crack and crevice. They were even crawling along the ceiling. We were forced to stop in the hall, now completely surrounded by orcs. They all leered towards us, and the ones near me were eyeing my injured leg. I watched as a fiery light appeared at the end of the hall. I stared in horror. That couldn't be good. A rumble passed threw the halls. We all watched as the orcs scattered. My hands shook. I slipped my dagger back into its place, a rush coming through my system. Boromir was the only now who managed to speak.

"What is this new devilry?" Gandalf muttered quietly. I gripped Elladan's hand tightly as Gandalf spoke.

"A Balrog — a demon of the ancient world." A growl echoed throughout the halls as the light drew closer. "This foe is beyond any of you...run!" I sprinted so quickly I thought I was flying. Elladan was holding my hand tightly as fear coursed through us both. The reality that we all could truly die was now very prevalent. Balrogs were nearly impossible to defeat, and we had unfortunately not brought Glorfindel with us to kill one. I watched as my brother took the lead, having us run to a broken staircase. Legolas jumped first, followed by Elladan. A rumble shook the ground. Pieces of the stone ceiling fell around us. Fear clouded my judgement and it felt like I couldn't breathe.

"Delia! Delia jump!" I looked up, staring at Elladan. He nodded, holding out his arms. I backed up a little, vaulting myself across the chasm while screaming. I landed in someone's arms, unable to breathe properly. "Delia, just breathe in and out. Everything will be alright. I promise you." I nodded as Elladan set me down. All I could do was sit still. Gandalf was next. Then Boromir, carrying Merry and Pippin. A sharp pain entered my back, distracting me. A sharp gasp escaped me as I pulled out a rather long arrow. Tears rolled across my face at the pain. I threw the blasted thing down the chasm, only to see my brother and Frodo balancing on a piece of broken stair.

(Elladan POV)

I heard a thunk. I looked for a brief moment to see Deliadis unconscious. I walked to her, holding her up. I placed my hand in the center of her back, only to be greeted a sticky substance. It was warm on my hand. I pulled my hand away, staring at the blood on my hand. I lifted Delia off the ground as another rumble shook the caverns. The Balrog was getting closer. I could hear it. Feel it. It was pure evil. Suddenly, Aragorn and Frodo were on the other side and safe. We all took off again while I held Delia. I remembered what she said. I had to stop Frodo from falling. I kept my eye trained on him. As we ran over a bridge, a wall of fire built behind us. Legolas' mouth was open in shock. Mine was too. It also did not help that Gandalf was still standing on the bridge, facing the wall of flames. A black shadow emerged from the flames. It was massive, towering, winged, horned, and fiery. It was a Balrog of Morgoth. Gandalf still stood, his sword and staff in hand. He shouted at the monster.

"You cannot pass!" Frodo called for Gandalf, and it drew my attention back to him. Gandalf taunted the evil beast in front of him some more. "I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor...the dark fire will not avail you! Flame of Udûn!" The Balrog struck Gandalf, but a white light protected. It was a blessing of the Valar. The monster bellowed at Gandalf, who spoke once more. "Go back to the Shadow!" The Balrog took a step. It now brandished a flaming whip. "You — shall not — pass!" The caverns shook. A light of white and blue appeared, blinding the Balrog. It took a step, and the bridge finally gave way beneath it. Gandalf turned to face us. Frodo started to run forward. I grabbed him with my hand, holding the back of his clothes.

"Frodo, no. It is not yet safe." He still struggled against me, despite my warning. Boromir eventually pulled Frodo close to his chest. All at once, the slamming whip emerged from the depths. It wrapped around Gandalf's ankle, dragging him to the depths. The cavern began to shake even more than before. Gandalf had managed to cling onto the edge of what remained of the bridge. He whisper shouted to us.

"Fly, you fools!" He let go. I stared in a shock. I blinked once, twice, three times, hoping it was a cruel illusion. Everything was a blur till cold, hard sunlight hit me. I was on the grass, holding Delia to my chest. My mind focused on her, trying to disprove what had just occurred. Gandalf could not possibly be dead. Not now. I held Delia up, watching as Aragorn walked to us.

"Aragorn, she...she is wounded. The wound in her leg is not poisoned, but her back, I cannot say. We have to hurry to Lórien."