Thirty One - Orcs

“The wealth of Moria is not in gold, or jewels, but mithril,” Gandalf said as we made our way through the mines.

 “Bilbo had a shirt of mithril rings that Thorin gave him,” Gandalf added. “That was a kingly gift,” Gimli said. “Yes. I never told him, but its worth is greater than the value of the Shire,” Gandalf chuckled. 

“I remember the moments before the battle,” I said. “Thorin wouldn’t relent. Not a bit,” I continued. “My father, Gloin, always talked about that journey,” Gimli said. “I remember your father. Never had the best luck, though,” I chuckled. 

“Aye, that’s still true,” He chuckled. “He always said the best bet he ever lost was yours,” He said. 

“Seven tharni’s if Bilbo Baggins joined the Company of Thorin Oakenshield,” I smiled. “And he did,” Frodo continued. “Aye, he did,” I repeated

We climbed into a strange room with steps to three doorways that neither Gandalf nor I remembered. After a long time, Gandalf picked a way by its smell and we followed him.

Gandalf’s crystal shone brighter, showing the Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf. “I remember when this place was lit up with the brightest lights and bustled with so many people,” I smiled, remembering a visit here when I was younger. 

“You’ve been here before?” Merry asked. “A long time ago. My cousin and I thought there was nowhere else better,” I answered.

“Oh!” Gimli shouted and ran for a room nearby. “Gimli!” Gandalf called but he ignored him. We followed him into the destroyed room with a tomb in the centre

“No, no no,” Gimli repeated, holding onto the edge of the stone and kneeling. “Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria,” Gandalf read aloud and I bowed my head. “He is dead, then. It's as I feared,” Gandalf said and removed his hat. He handed his hat and staff to Pippin and picked up a book from one of the skeletons.

“We must move on, we cannot linger,” Legolas whispered to Aragorn and I. 

 “They have taken the Bridge and the second hall,” Gandalf read as Boromir put his hand on Gimli’s shoulder. 

“We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums, Drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming,” Gandalf finished.

Something fell, making a loud bang. My eyes shot over to Pippin, who was standing next to a well as a skeleton fell into it, taking a chain and bucket with it. The noise echoed throughout, what I’m sure was, the entire mine, not leaving a single place unheard by it. 

After it passed, I closed my eyes and looked up. None of us spoke, listening for the possible new members.

This is why I was glad Bilbo is more Baggins than Took. 

“Fool of a Took!” Gandalf snapped after closing the book and putting it down “Throw yourself in, next time, and rid us of your stupidity!” Gandalf snatched his hat and staff and turned away from him. 

A drum sounded in the distance, screeching following soon after. “Orcs,” Legolas said. “Damn it,” I huffed and took out my swords. 

 Boromir ran to the door and he flinched back as two arrows stuck in the door. I ran over to him, pulling the other door closed as he got the other.

“They have a cave troll,” He said in an annoyed tone. “Bloody brilliant,” I muttered sarcastically. Legolas threw axes at us to bar the door. “Get back, Boromir,” I said and he backed away. 

“What are you going to do?” He asked as I rested my hands against the door. Green vines sprung from the floor, wrapping around the door. 

“Will it hold?” Aragorn asked as he drew his sword. “Long enough,” I answered, nocking an arrow in my bow.

“Agh! Let them come. There's one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath,” Gimli said as he stood on Balin’s tomb. 

As they cut through the vines, Legolas and I shot arrows at their hands, Orcs screeching on the other side became louder.

The doors broke down and Orcs ran in. As they charged toward us, I put my bow back, grabbing my swords. 

As my frustration and anger built up, my swords ignited. Some would touch me, or try to pierce my skin with a blade, either would catch fire as I fought through the others. 

Pretty soon, the Hobbits and Gandalf began to fight. 

One of the Orcs held a thick chain, pulling in the cave troll. 

I cut the Orc’s head off as Aragorn and Boromir took the chain, pulling it from stepping on Sam.

I scrambled around the troll, picking Sam up on his feet and watched as the troll flung Boromir into a wall. “Get away from the troll. Now!” I shouted and Sam nodded as I ran toward the Orc and stuck my sword in its back before it got Boromir. 

“You alright?” I asked, quickly and he nodded. “Good,” I said, helping him up. “I hope you aren’t afraid of fire,” I said and handed him one of my swords. 

I jumped back down, fighting off and killing as many as I could. “Frodo!” Sam shouted. I looked over at the troll, who had stuck a long spear in Frodo and I resorted to just burning them.

Merry and Pippin got on the troll and it grabbed Merry, dangling him by his legs and threw him on the ground. 

Gandalf and Gimli both tried taking stabs at it, scared to get too close. I slid between its legs, cutting it on each calf and bringing it to its knees. Pippin stabbed it in the back, getting it to look up for Legolas to get a clear shot.

The troll groaned and fell, sending Pippin flying off. 

I walked over to Boromir helping him up as Merry went to Pippin and the others ran to Frodo. 

“Can you stand?” I asked. “Yeah,” He whispered. “Your sword,” He said and handed me the burning blade. “Thank you,” I said and the flames disappeared. 

“He's alive,” Sam announced in relief. We walked over to them to see Frodo wearing Bilbo’s mithril shirt. “You are full of surprises Master Baggins,” Gimli chuckled.

 Screeches continued and his humour died. 

We ran out of the tomb, Orcs chasing and surrounding us. They crawled out of cracks in the floors, walls and the ceiling all around, more than I could count. 

They circled us and tried to make a move but before they did, I formed a circle of tall fire to protect us from them. 

As everything got quiet, something roared from an archway, which lit up. The Orcs screeched in fear and scattered. Gimli laughed triumphantly and I extinguished the circle as it roared again. 

“What is this new devilry?” Bormir whispered. Gandalf closed his eyes and waited before answering as the glowing red light crept toward us.

“A balrog,”