In the Ruins//Legolas

Chapter 23; Eihwaz

"To the Bridge of Khazad-Dum!" Gandalf shouted and led them out of the room. They ran while hearing the wild scrambling of orcish feet on the ground behind them. They found their way into another large open hall full of support pillars. To their horror, those pillars were swarmed by the disgusting creatures , who were all climbing towards them like spiders. They were being surrounded, and there was nothing they could do about it. Then, suddenly, there was a loud bang. The orcs stopped laughing at once and began shrieking in fear instead. Then they began retreating as a sudden wave of heat reached them.

"What is this new devilry?" Boromir spoke, voice barely above a whisper.

"A Balrog, a demon of the ancient world. Its foe is beyond any of you." Gandalf said gravely. "Run!" And run they did, the tall folk making sure that the hobbits and Gimli weren't abandoned behind.

"Gandalf!" Aragorn yelled as they reached the entrance to a staircase where the wizard stopped.

"Lead them on Aragorn. The Bridge is near! Do as I say! Swords are of no more use here." Gandalf pushed them forward, ignoring their worried stares. They continued onward. managing to arrive at a staircase that was built over a terrifyingly deep ravine. Boromir, being in the front, had to be pulled back by Legolas when he reached a wide gap in the stairs where the stone crumbled away. Legolas didn't take too long to assess the situation before leaping across the gap, leaving Durion's heart freezing in fear for the other elf's life. He wondered if Legolas's heart stopped too when he put himself in any kind of danger. He felt bad once he realized that that was probably the case.

"Gandalf!" Legolas beckoned the wizard to him. Just as the wizard managed to make the jump, an arrow flew just inches from Legolas's ear and Durion never moved so fast. Within a second, his own arrow flew and killed the orc shooting at his bonded.

"Merry! Pippin!" Boromir grabbed each hobbit under one arm and made a mighty jump across.

"Sam!" Aragorn grabs the hobbit and throws him across to Boromir. Then the man turns to Gimli, who frowns and steps forward, out of Boromir's reach.

"Nobody tosses a dwarf!" He grumbles and swings his arms back to give himself momentum. The jump was too short and Gimli flailed his hands back. Legolas acted quickly and grabbed the poor dwarf's beard. "Mind the beard!" Gimli yelled as he was pulled onto the bridge. Durion, Aragorn and Frodo stumbled when the part of the bridge they were on suddenly jerked and started leaning back. Durion quickly gained his balance back and pulled the other two to their feet.

"Steady! Hold on! Hang on!" Aragorn loudly said. "Lean forward!" They did and the broken off bridge fell forward. When it crashed onto the other part of the bridge, the three jumped over to the rest of the fellowship and they ran on.

"Come on!"

"Over the Bridge! Fly!" Gandalf shouts at them and turns around to face the demonic figure. "You cannot pass!"

"Gandalf!" Frodo yells and struggles in Boromir's arms.

"I am the Servant of the Secret Fire. Wielder of the Flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun! Go back to the shadow!" The wizard stands tall. "You shall not pass!" Slamming his staff into the bridge. Light flashes and the bridge under the Balrog crumbles, sending the demon into the endless pit below. Relief and amazement fills their bodies for a moment, staring at the powerful gray figure that was their friend. Then dread, as the sound of a whip flashed through the air. The fiery rope that the Balrog whipped up wrapped around Gandalf's leg, bringing him to the ground and over the edge. He just barely managed to catch himself.

"No!" Durion cried and attempted to run towards the Istari, only to be caught by Legolas, who seemed to be able to predict his movement.

"Fly, you fools." Gandalf spoke with the last grains of his strength. And then he let go.