The Balrog

Gandalf falls into shadows

--They run through the cavern, but become surrounded by Orcs. There is a roar in the distance. The Orcs all run away. --

Boromir:

What is this new devilry?

Gandalf:

A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!

--They run. Boromir abruptly comes to the edge of the path, drops his torch and teeters on the edge of a very long drop. Legolas pulls him back from the edge.--

Gandalf:

Lead them on, Aragorn! The bridge is near. Do as I say! Swords are no more use here!

--They come to a gap in the apparently endless staircase--

Legolas:

jumps across easily

Gandalf:

follows after a moment's hesitation

Boromir:

grabs Merry and Pippin and jumps across as the edge crumbles

Aragorn:

throws Sam across and is going to throw Gimli, too

Gimli:

Nobody tosses a dwarf! (jumps, but doesn't quite make it)

Legolas:

grabs his beard to keep him from falling

Gimli:

Not the beard!

--More breaks off the edge, Frodo and Aragorn scramble back. The gap is now too far to jump. Part of roof breaks off, breaks the section Frodo and Aragorn are on loose from the rest of the stair. It starts to tilt. Trying to keep his balance, Aragorn finds he can influence the direction the stair falls.--

Aragorn:

Lean forward!

--They do, and the section falls forward into the rest of the stair, allowing Frodo and Aragorn to rejoin the party. They keep running as the enormous section of stair falls into the abyss. As they run toward the bridge, the Balrog emerges from the chasm behind them. Gandalf makes sure everyone is across the bridge before he makes his stand. In the center of the bridge, he turns to face the demon, staff and sword in hand.--

Gandalf:

You cannot pass.

Frodo:

Gandalf!

--A wave of flame spreads across the Balrog.--

Gandalf:

I am a servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! Dark fire shall not avail you, flame of Udun!

Balrog:

draws a flaming sword and swings at Gandalf

Gandalf:

Go back to the shadow! You shall not pass! (slams his staff on the ground, and a flash of white light drives the Balrog back)

Balrog:

draws a whip of fire, steps onto the bridge, and the bridge gives way, dropping him into the chasm

Gandalf:

turns away

--The tail of the whip catches Gandalf's ankle and pulls him down. He gets a brief grasp on the edge of the bridge.--

Gandalf:

Fly, you fools! (falls down)

Frodo:

No! (tries to return to the bridge, but Boromir holds him back)

Boromir:

Aragorn! (carries Frodo away)

--The diminished group escapes into the sunlight before most collapse with grief, weeping for the loss of their friend.--