The Fellowship of the Ring: Legolas x Tauriel Book 1

Chapter 12: The Bridge of Khazad-dum

"To the Bridge of Khazad-dum," said Gandalf. The Fellowship raced out of the tomb area, with orcs swarming behind them. Legolas instinctively wrapped his arm protectively around Tauriel's waist as they glanced around, seeing thousands of orcs chasing them from every direction—climbing out of cracks in the floor, descending from the ceiling, and emerging from the columns.

"We're surrounded," Legolas murmured to Tauriel.

"I see them," Tauriel replied, her eyes scanning the oncoming horde.

Then, a terrifying roar echoed from an archway, glowing red. The orcs faltered and looked around nervously. The roar sounded again, causing the orcs to screech in terror and scatter. Gimli chuckled grimly.

Another roar followed, the red glow drawing nearer. Boromir, always alert, asked, "What new devilry is this?"

Gandalf closed his eyes briefly, a pained expression crossing his face. "A Balrog," he announced grimly, reopening his eyes to meet theirs. "A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. RUN!"

"Tauriel, come!" Legolas urged, his voice urgent. They sprinted as fast as they could, fleeing the cavern of columns with Boromir rushing ahead. However, Boromir suddenly found himself at the edge of a chasm, teetering dangerously. Legolas dashed up behind him, gripping his arm and pulling him back to safety.

Gandalf stumbled into view last, and Aragorn looked at him with concern. "Gandalf..."

"Lead them on, Aragorn," Gandalf instructed firmly. "The Bridge is near."

As they hurried towards the narrow bridge spanning the chasm, the fiery red glow of the Balrog drew closer. Gandalf pushed Aragorn forward. "Do as I say!"

Aragorn glanced back, confusion etched on his face, but Gandalf moved past him decisively. "Swords are no more use here," Gandalf declared as they rushed down the steps winding towards the Bridge.

Suddenly, they encountered a break—a wide gap in the staircase that was too far to jump. Legolas and Tauriel leaped nimbly across, Legolas steadying Tauriel with an arm around her waist. They turned back to see the others. Gandalf, puzzled momentarily, urged them onward as the roof above started to crumble.

"Gandalf!" Legolas called urgently.

Gandalf leaped across the gap to join Legolas and Tauriel. Arrows whizzed through the air, narrowly missing Boromir and the hobbits. Legolas and Tauriel swiftly turned, drawing their bows and picking off the orcs firing at them with deadly accuracy.

"Merry, Pippin!" Boromir called, scooping up the hobbits and jumping across. As he did so, a larger chunk of the steps crumbled away. Legolas and Tauriel continued to cover their retreat, eliminating the orcs threatening them.

"Sam!" Aragorn called, grabbing the hobbit and tossing him across the gap to Boromir. He then turned to Gimli.

"Nobody tosses a dwarf!" Gimli declared, taking a leap of faith and landing on the other side. Legolas reached out, grabbing Gimli by the beard to prevent him from falling. "Mind the beard!" Gimli grumbled.

Aragorn fired an arrow at the approaching orcs as Legolas hauled Gimli to safety. Suddenly, more of the staircase collapsed, leaving Aragorn with Frodo. With a swift motion, Aragorn threw Frodo further up the steps to safety and clung to the swaying staircase as a portion of it plummeted into the chasm. The gap was now too wide to jump.

The rest of the Fellowship looked on in concern. Frodo struggled to stand, aided by Aragorn's steadying hand. "Lean forward," Aragorn instructed urgently.

"Come on!" Legolas called, his voice taut with urgency.

Aragorn and Frodo took a deep breath and leaped. Legolas swiftly caught Aragorn, while Boromir reached out for Frodo. They ran down the remaining staircase as the part they had been standing on collapsed into the abyss, reaching another chamber now engulfed in flames.

"Over the bridge!" Gandalf shouted, waiting for the others to pass. "Fly!"

The Fellowship ran past Gandalf, who turned to face the encroaching flames. From the heart of the inferno emerged a black, winged creature with a horned head—the Balrog. It roared at Gandalf, spewing fire as it stalked after them.

One by one, the Fellowship crossed the narrow bridge, Gandalf bringing up the rear. Halfway across, he halted and turned to confront the Balrog. "You cannot pass," Gandalf declared, his voice resonating with authority.

Frodo gasped, tears welling in his eyes. "Gandalf..."

The Balrog spread its wings menacingly, towering over Gandalf. It drew its sword, its fiery blade gleaming ominously. Gandalf raised his staff defensively, its white light contrasting against the Balrog's darkness.

"I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor," Gandalf proclaimed boldly.

The Balrog swung its sword down at Gandalf, who parried the blow with his staff, causing a thunderous clash of light and shadow. The Balrog roared in frustration, its fiery whip cracking ominously overhead.

"The dark fire will not avail you!" Gandalf continued, his staff glowing brightly. "Flame of Udun!"

The Balrog snarled defiantly, advancing towards Gandalf with its whip raised. Gandalf stood resolute, raising his sword and staff high above his head, bringing his staff down hard on the bridge.

"You shall not pass!" Gandalf thundered, his voice echoing through the chamber.

The Balrog hesitated for a moment, snorting angrily. Then, with a bellow, it lunged forward, its immense weight causing the bridge to crumble beneath it. As it fell into the chasm, the Balrog's whip coiled around Gandalf's ankle, dragging him down.

"Gandalf!" Frodo cried out, straining against Boromir who held him back.

"Gandalf..." Frodo's voice was choked with anguish.

Gandalf clung desperately to the edge of the bridge, looking up at them one last time. "Fly, you fools," Gandalf urged, his voice filled with sorrow and resolve, before he disappeared into the depths below.

"No!" Frodo's cry echoed through the chamber. He struggled against Boromir's grip, tears streaming down his face. Aragorn watched in disbelief, his gaze fixed on the spot where Gandalf had vanished.

"Aragorn," Boromir said urgently, pulling Frodo away. "Come."

Aragorn hesitated for a moment, torn between grief and the need to protect the remaining members of the Fellowship. With a heavy heart, he turned and ran after them, dodging arrows as they fled the flaming halls of Moria.

Outside, on the rocky slopes, the Fellowship collapsed, hearts heavy with loss. The hobbits wept openly, Gimli clenched his fists in anger, and Legolas looked on with deep sadness. Tauriel walked over to Legolas, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"It's not your fault, my love," Tauriel murmured softly.

"I know," Legolas replied, his voice tight with emotion. He wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her close. "Are you and the baby alright?" he asked gently, placing a hand on her small baby bump.

"We're fine," Tauriel reassured him, leaning into his embrace.

Boromir approached them, his expression grim. He embraced Gimli, offering silent solidarity in their shared grief. Aragorn wiped his sword clean, his jaw set with determination.

"Legolas, get them up," Aragorn ordered, his voice firm but compassionate.

"Give them a moment, for pity's sake," Boromir interjected, his voice rough with emotion. "By nightfall, this hill will be swarming with orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien."

"Come," Aragorn said gently, turning to Legolas, Tauriel, Gimli, and the hobbits. "Get them up."

He reached out to a tearful Sam, helping him to his feet with a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "On your feet, Sam."

"Frodo," Aragorn called, noticing Frodo walking away in the distance.

"Frodo!" Aragorn's voice was urgent, filled with unspoken sorrow.

Frodo stopped and turned back, tears rolling down his face. Aragorn led the remaining Fellowship away from the rocky slopes, running ahead across a stream and stopping to look down at the woodland below, a flicker of hope in his eyes.