Chapter Two

The two moved into this smaller cave. It soon showed itself to be a dead end, as well, however, unlike the first one they had seen, this one was deeper and had black shadows at the rear of it.

Pressing themselves back against the walls, Legolas and Gimli waited.

They didn’t have to wait long. A horde of orcs came crashing up the tunnel. There was no telling how many of them there were, but it took several minutes for all of the foul creatures
to pass by the little cave.

The horrific stench that wafted in through the opening almost gagged Legolas. He put his hand over his mouth and swallowed hard. He would never live it down, if he got sick in front of the dwarf. Worse than that, he would surely attract the attention of at least one passing orc, and that’s all it would take. If that happened, he wouldn’t have to worry about living anything down.

Both Legolas and Gimli thought that the rumbling they had experienced on the bridge was starting again. It soon became apparent, however, that the noise and the accompanying vibrations were different, this time the result of a cave troll, which lumbered past the opening. All they saw were its huge legs, which filled the cave entrance.

Neither Legolas nor Gimli was in the least surprised to see the giant creature. A place as large as Khazad-dûm was a perfect place for these enormous beasts. Knowing the size of the tunnel they had been in, Legolas was somewhat surprised that a cave troll would fit in it.

Legolas and Gimli waited until the sound of the cave troll and the orcs was far in the distance before venturing out of the shadows. They cautiously made their way out into the main tunnel and looked both ways. More sounds were heard below them, but they saw nothing.

“We may be dodging those beasts all the way down,” Legolas remarked. “If you are sure there are more side passages and caves, we can hopefully avoid them until we reach another bridge.”

Gimli narrowed his eyes. “I told you this place is full of side passages.” Without saying more, he started confidently off down the tunnel again, happy to be in the lead this time. He no longer cared about being able to gloat, if the elf lost his way. Gimli realized how perilous their journey out of Moria was going to be, so he wanted to get free of the place as fast as possible. At this point, he didn’t even care if Legolas was the one to get them out.

Twice more they had to duck into a side passage to avoid running into more orcs moving upwards. None of these orcs had a troll with them, which was at least a small blessing.

The third time they failed to make it in time. Spotted by the lead orcs, they began to run down the side tunnel they had just darted into. Luckily, it was a long tunnel and not a dead-end cave.

The orcs pounded after the elf and the dwarf in full cry. How many there were didn't seem to matter until Gimli, of all people, tripped on a sharp rock that jutted up from the floor. He hadn't seen Legolas leap over it just ahead of him.

The dwarf slammed down on is stomach with an `ooph' that drove the air from his lungs. Before he had time to curse his bad luck, Legolas had turned back and jerked him upright. In less time than it took to blink twice, the duo was pelting down the tunnel again. Neither of them even noticed that this passage was heading down, just the way they wanted to go. Now all they needed was for more orcs to come upward in front of them.

What was coming upward was something they wanted to face even less than orcs.

"I may not have extra sensitive hearing," Gimli puffed, "but I can hear another cave troll coming."

"Just keep moving," Legolas advised. "Do not stop."

Gimli thought that was an odd thing to say. Was the elf suggesting they just crash into the beast? That would surely fell it!

What Legolas had in mind was soon apparent, when they came around a sweeping bend in the tunnel. They came face to face with the huge creature. "Run!" Legolas yelled to his stout companion.

Without slowing down the two ran between the troll's legs and were on their way again before the massive beast had time to do more than reach down between its legs to try to swat one of the fleeing intruders. The elf made it easily. The dwarf did not.

Gimli, already out of breath from his fall in the tunnel, felt the troll's hand hit him in the back. The next thing he knew he was flying through the air over Legolas's head. He slammed down several feet farther down the tunnel.

Legolas glanced quickly over his shoulder and saw the troll with his back to him. No orcs were getting past him, so he went around in front of Gimli and stood, legs apart and arms crossed over his chest. He could not stop himself from saying, "Are you going to spend all of your time down here on your stomach?"

Gimli didn't have enough air in his lungs to give Legolas the scathing answer he felt the elf deserved.

With an exasperated sigh, Legolas reached down and once again hauled the dwarf up onto is feet. He then looked up the tunnel to see what was happening there.

The orcs were still held up while they waited impatiently for the troll, who had the tunnel blocked while he tried to turn around. The orcs were screaming curses in the Black Speech, but it didn't seem to help matters any, since the troll was only a tiny bit smaller than the spot in the tunnel where he stood.

Gimli, ignoring what was behind him, was still gasping for air.

"Are you all right?" Legolas asked, his voice sounding more indifferent than concerned.

Gimli's first instinct was to give a sarcastic answer. "I'd like to see...the state...you'd be in, if you'd...been blindsided by a...cave troll," he wheezed, disappointed that his remark was halting and not as stingingly forceful as he would have liked. Still, it got his point across.

The elf frowned but didn't respond to the dwarf at his feet. He instead trained both eyes and ears on trying to detect more trouble that might be headed their way. It didn't take long for him to pick up more orc noises down below them.

"Come," he told Gimli. "We cannot linger here. More orcs are on the way." He turned and began to run.

Gimli had no choice but to follow as quickly as he could. He may be able to find his way out by himself, but he knew he would need the elf's fighting skills, if a battle with Moria's foul creatures could not be avoided. He was forced to admit that no matter how arrogant the elf may be, he was a skilled warrior, and that made his value to Gimli outweigh his irritating presence.

Another of the numerous side tunnels opened up to the fleeing pair's right not far from where the orcs were just now making their way past the cave troll, who had finally worked itself around to go after the intruders.

The new tunnel, also lit with the glowing rock, though it was dimmer than in the main tunnel, sloped much more sharply downward. Even the sure-footed elf had to slow down to keep from tumbling forward.

Gimli, not only closer to the ground, but used to such down-turns, found the going easier. It didn't take him long to catch up to Legolas.

"I do not hear orcs in this passage," Legolas remarked.

"I don't think they like to climb steep rock," the dwarf answered.

They kept running until the tunnel opened out onto the chasm. Legolas looked up and saw the remnants of the ruined bridge a good hundred yards above them. He hadn't realized that they had gone so far down. To their right was the bridge they had hoped to find and cross.

There was good news and bad news. The good news was that the bridge was intact. The bad news was that it was covered with orcs and had a cave troll at each end of it.

Legolas pointed below the bridge at the small orcs that were climbing up the almost vertical walls to reach the bridge. "Yes, I can see that they definitely do not like to climb steep rock," he said sarcastically.

"Different orcs," Gimli mumbled. He took a deep breath. "Well, elf, what do we do now?"

"I am surprised you asked," Legolas remarked almost off-handedly. He looked all around and saw another bridge farther down, but it was covered with orcs, as well. He looked straight down the rock face. "If they can climb, so can we."

Gimli grabbed the elf's sleeve just as he was about to swing down over the edge of the ledge. "I..." he hesitated, hating to make the admission he was about to make, but his life was at stake, so he had no choice but to say, "I'm too heavy. I can't climb down there." He bit his lip, waiting for the retort he was sure was coming.

Running a critical eye over the dwarf's stout body, Legolas sighed. "I guess not."

Gimli grimaced, but what could he say?

Legolas studied the rock walls to either side of them. His eyes followed a small ledge that snaked its way down along the sheer wall to their left. It was very narrow and broken in places, but it was the only other option he could see. "Can you jump over to that?" he pointed to the narrow rock trail several feet away.

Eyeing the trail, Gimli saw that it was a smaller gap than the one in the main bridge had been. Even seeing that this landing area was much smaller, Gimli said with confidence, "I can."

Legolas made the jump first. He turned back and backed up a step to give Gimli room to land. He was also ready to catch the dwarf, who he was sure would need the extra help.

Closing and then opening his eyes, Gimli was in the process of gathering himself to make the leap, when a crudely-made black arrow came whizzing by his head. He jumped.

The dwarf landed on the very edge of the rocky path and immediately began to slip backwards.

Legolas reached out and grabbed onto the only thing on the dwarf that presented itself---a handful of braided red hair.

"Not the beard!" Gimli yelled.

Legolas leaned forward. "Would you prefer I let go?"

"Grab my belt and pull me up, you pointy-eared..." Gimli clamped his mouth shut. He realized that insulting the only person who could save him while he teetered between safety and doom was none too bright. He stopped short of saying `please'.

The elven archer shook his head and then shoved his hand down inside Gimli's belt, getting a secure hold and pulling him up. He did not let go until the dwarf was standing on the ledge beside him.

Several more arrows struck the rock around them. Thankful that orcs were poor shots but knowing the likelihood that with so many of the black bolts flying their way, at least one was bound to connect at some point, Legolas asked, "Shall we go?".

Nearly having to pull an arrow out of his ear, Gimli replied, "Yes---and quickly."

The two lone members of the Fellowship made their way along the rock wall. Legolas had no trouble negotiating the narrow ledge. Gimli kept his eyes on the stone directly below his feet, his left hand sliding along the wall. He tried not to think of the archer moving easily ahead of him. `That blasted elf could probably run at full speed down this thing all the way to the bottom.'

If Gimli had only known that Legolas, though sure-footed, was making his journey look easier than it really was, the dwarf would have surely had some sarcastic remark to make. Legolas forced himself to remain close to the dwarf in case he needed help. He wasn't sure how Gimli would have felt about that fact. Unappreciative, Legolas decided.

Quite unexpectedly, it was the elf that faltered. Legolas had just stepped over a small break in the rock, when the part he came down on gave way, and he began to fall.

Gimli reacted instinctively. He leaned forward and grabbed for the elf, catching the upper sleeve of the elven tunic.

Gimli pulled, surprised at how lightweight the elf was. He guided the arm he held so that Legolas could grab hold of a piece of rock that jutted out from the wall.

Once he had hold of the rock, Legolas swung his leg up to the ledge and pulled himself all the way up. When he finally stood upright, he looked at Gimli. "Thank you."

Gimli nodded. He was marginally surprised that he felt good that the elf was safe, especially since he hadn't thought of it in terms of `I saved the elf.' Yet, the words `we're even' did creep unbidden into his mind.

*~*~*~*

When the pair made it to the level of the bridge they were aiming for with no additional holes in their flesh, they both felt a large measure of relief. It lasted only a second, as they rounded a bend in the rock wall and came face-to-face with the orcs manning the stone archway.

"There is no other way," Legolas said. "We will have to fight our way across." He looked down at the stout being next to him.

Gimli nodded, a grim expression on his face. Without another word, the dwarf charged onto the bridge. Swinging his great war ax as he went. Orcs went flying into oblivion, and the ax was soon covered in black blood.

Legolas knew that his bow would be useless this close in, so he drew his twin long knives and began a deadly dance, sending his own share of orcs into the chasm below.

The fight was going well. The bridge was narrow yet wide enough to allow the elf and the dwarf to fight side by side.

Gradually they were pushing the foul creatures back toward the other side.

As they reached the midway point, they both heard a noise behind them. Glancing over his shoulder, Legolas saw about a dozen more orcs approaching. "Behind us," he said, as he rammed one of his knives into an orc's stomach while slicing across the throat of another.

"I'll take care of those spawns of evil," Gimli said, swinging around to face the new threat.

The two continued to battle, unable to move for fear of being separated and exposing each other's back. Instead they let the orcs come to them. Unfortunately, there was no shortage of the ugly creatures willing to do that.

Try as they did, the two companions were not able to stay together. There was simply too much shoving and jostling about. Some of the orcs managed to get between Legolas and Gimli, effectively surrounding them.

The fight then became desperate. Fresh orcs were joining the fight while Legolas and Gimli had no relief. The stamina of elf and dwarf was waning but then, too, was the number of orcs facing them.

Finally, Gimli had nothing before him but dead bodies piled up all around. In anger, he kicked two of them off the bridge, sending a dwarven curse after them.

Feeling somewhat better after his little tirade, he turned to see how Legolas was faring.

There were a pile of dead orcs on Legolas's side, as well, however, he was lying face down on the stone archway.

"Elf!" Gimli cried in alarm, running the few feet to see what had befallen the elven prince. When Legolas lifted his head to look up at the dwarf, Gimli asked. "Are you wounded?"

Legolas shook his head. "Well then, are you going to spend all of your time down here on your stomach?" The chance to throw the elf's words to him earlier back in his face was just too good to pass up. However, the words did not contain the venom they normally would have.

Grimacing, Legolas got to his feet. Seeing Gimli's questioning look, the archer replied, "Do not ask," He wasn't about to tell the dwarf that he, an agile elf, had been tripped up by a pair of orcs. They had ended up paying for that humiliation with their lives.

The sound of booming footsteps ended all thoughts other than that of leaving as quickly as they could.

Legolas and Gimli looked at each other. "Cave trolls," they both said together. It sounded like more than one.

Without further comment, they both made their way past the dead orcs. Some they had to push aside, while others were merely stepped over.

An open tunnel greeted the pair on the other side of the bridge. This was going to be much easier to travel along than the narrow ledge on the other side of the yawning abyss.

They made for it, traveling down it at a fast pace. It wound around but steadily led upward.

In less than half an hour, which was totally without incident, Legolas and Gimli had made their way up the tunnel to the level of the East Gate. It stood before them in all its glory. At least, that was the way they both beheld it.

Not taking the time to admire it, they both ran out into the gathering darkness. The day had passed them by while they had struggled to reach the world of fresh air.

Legolas, who loved the night with all its myriad of stars, felt his soul respond. The silver glow of the full moon accented the elf's natural elven glow and made him appear as a shimmering, ethereal form.

Gimli had seen it once before during the last full moon, as the Fellowship had journeyed from Rivendell. It had unnerved him then and was only slightly easier to take this time around.

There was a good chance that they would be followed, orcs being nocturnal creatures, but even so, the elf couldn't resist just standing and staring at the heavens.

"I knew it," Gimli said. "Elves are so flighty that, even in the face of danger, they just stare at the stars, as if nothing else in all of Arda matters."

"I, for one, am strengthened by `staring at the stars`, as you put it. It renews my spirit."

"I just need to breathe," the dwarf replied.

*~*~*~*

Just before entering the golden realm of Lothlórien, Legolas stopped and put his hand on Gimli's shoulder. "You fought well, Master Dwarf. I was glad to fight beside you."

Gimli blinked several times. It was the first time, since they had met, that Legolas had called him anything but plain `dwarf'. Not to be outdone, he said, "And you, Master Elf, did likewise. I was glad to face the enemy with you."

Elf and dwarf smiled at each other tentatively.

"Shall we go and join our friends?" Legolas asked, as they crossed beneath the boughs of the welcoming forest.

"Without delay," Gimli replied, finding that he no longer resented the fair being that walked beside him.

A new friendship had begun to set down small, tender roots. It was an unlikely friendship, to be sure, but it would grow and strengthen, becoming known far and wide. One day it would help change how the races of Middle-earth regarded each other.

The End