Thirty Two - Shadow & Flame

Boromir nearly toppled over the side of the stairs that ended short and Legolas caught him soon after, redirecting us to the ones that continued down our path. “Hurry!” I shouted and ran down the stairs as they followed.

I saw the gap in the stairs ahead and looked below. 

It’s too far down to bring up something. I continued first down the stairs and jumped across the gap with Legolas close behind me and the others stopped. 

The roars continued and the walls where we came from began to crack. “Gandalf!” Le called the wizard, who jumped and we helped him by. 

Arrows flew past us and Legolas and Aragorn took out their bows and fired back as Boromir grabbed Merry and Pippin, jumping across. As he made the jump, more pieces of the stairs fell. 

“Sam!” Aragorn picked up Sam and tossed him across as I caught him, helping him walk down to Gandalf. Aragorn turned to Gimli, who held up his hand. “Nobody tosses a Dwarf!” Gimli leapt across, barely making it and Legolas caught his beard. “Not the beard!” He shouted and I grabbed his arm, pulling him the rest of the way onto the stairs. 

Bigger pieces of the stairs begin to fall and Aragorn and Frodo jump back. The Balrog roars and pieces of the ceiling fall, severing the stairs Aragorn and Frodo are on from the passage before us. 

 I shot fire at the pieces at the pillar on the stairs, making them fall toward us, connecting the paths long enough for them to get across before it all fell. Legolas grabbed Aragorn as Boromir got Frodo and we ran down the rest of the stairs.

The rest of the corridors were in flames as we ran through. “Over the Bridge! Fly!” Gandalf shouted as he waited for us to pass. 

I looked back to see the black, winged creature with horns. 

The Balrog.

It followed us with long strides. 

One by one, Aragorn, Boromir, Pippin, Merry, Frodo, Sam, Gimli, Legolas, and I ran across the bridge. 

“You cannot pass!” I turned back to see Gandalf still on the bridge, facing the Balrog. “Gandalf!” Frodo shouted.

“I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not Veril you, flame of Udun!” As the Balrog brought its swords down against Gandalf’s sword and staff, it clashed and created a great light. 

“Go back to the shadow,” The Balrog brings its cloven foot onto the bridge and reveals its fiery whip.

 “You shall not pass!” Gandalf brought his staff down hard upon the bridge and the Balror snorted, then approached. As he did, the bridge broke under him, causing him to fall into the depths of the chasm below. 

As Gandalf turned to follow us, the whip snagged his ankle, pulling him over the side. “No!” I tried to get to him but Legolas pulled me back. He clung to the edge of the bridge. “Gandalf!” I shouted as he tried to hold on. 

“Fly, you fools,” He fell into the chasm. 

“No!” I screamed. 

I’m not sure how loud or for how long I said that word. I only know that it made the whole cavern shake. 

As arrows were fired at us, it only made me angrier. I looked over and set the entire platform across from us ablaze as Legolas pulled me out of the cave and into the daylight with the others. 

Merry comforted Pippin as Boromir held Gimli back from running back. 

“Let me go, Legolas!” I screamed at him. “You’re not thinking straight,” He said as I continued to fight him. “I have to-” “Verena listen to me!” He shouted, taking my face and making me look at him. “He’s gone. I will miss him too, but he is truly gone,” He said. 

Tears welled in my eyes and I began to cry. “It’s alright,” He pulled me into a hug and I held onto him tightly.

“Legolas, Verena, get them up,” Aragorn said and I took a deep breath, pulling away from Legolas as he looked at me.

“Give them a moment, for pity's sake!” Boromir scoffed as Gimli held his head in his hands.

“By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come, Boromir, Verena, Legolas, Gimli, get them up,” He said again. 

“Are you alright?” Le asked. I sniffled and nodded. He walked over to Merry and Pippin, helping them up and I searched for Frodo. “Frodo?” I shouted and walked over the rocks and saw him a bit away. “Frodo!” He turned and looked at me. 

I ran over to him and crouched to his level. “Come here,” I hugged him and he wrapped his arms around my neck and hugged me back, crying. 

I wish the innocent could stay pure forever.

~~~

“Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk, and ears of a fox!” Gimli boasted. 

Almost immediately after, The Watch-Elves stepped out, arrows drawn. I brought both of my hands up.

“The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark,” Haldir said. “Haldir,” I said and he looked at me. “Verena,” He said in shock. 

Yeah… It’s been a shocking day.

~~~

As night had fallen, Haldir and the other Watch-Elves escorted us to an outside platform in the trees.

“Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil,” Haldir greeted Legolas in Elvish. “Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lorien,” Legolas replied and Haldir turned to Aragorn. 

“Aragorn of the Dunedain,” He said with an elven salute. “Haldir,” He said in the same manner.

“And Verena Tempest. My distant sister by law,” He smiled and I nodded. “Hello, Haldir,” I smiled.

“So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves. Speak words we all understand!” Gimli snapped. 

“We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the dark days,” Haldir grimaced. “And do you know what this Dwarf says to that? I spit upon your grave,” He finished in Dwarvish. 

“That was not so courteous,” Aragorn said as Haldir turned to Frodo

“You bring great evil with you. You can go no further,” Haldir started to walk away. 

“Haldir, wait!” I said and he looked at me. 

“I trust you like a sister, Ver. But this darkness will not enter our city,” He said stubbornly.

“Let me speak with Lady Galadriel. She is my valar mother and you can not deny me that,” I said. 

“Very well. The others will stay here,” He said and I turned to them.

“I will sort this out,” I promised and Aragorn nodded.