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Mirkwood. Once known as the Greenwood, it has grown dark over the years since the evil started to creep again from Dol Guldur. Orcs and Giant Spiders have grown bolder and more numerous of late, so much so that travelling the forest has become increasingly perilous. Once, Dwarves and Men would pass through on their way to Laketown, but those travellers that do now enter stick to the paths and keep their weapons close. Apart from my small hut, the only other place that remains free of the taint of shadow are the Halls of King Thranduil. There, the sun still shines and the leaves are golden in Autumn and green in Summer, due in no small part to the skill of his people. Even though he is proud and fey, even for an Elf, I dread to think what should happen if his realm was to fall...

Radagast the Brown, talking to the Elladan of the Dunedain, Farin of Erebor and Andriel of Rivendell on the perils that lie before them.

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Between the trees, two figures moved like the wind through the leaves, so that only the keenest of eyes would have seen any sign of their passage. They came to rest in the shadow of a tall oak, one of them pushing back the hood of his cloak. Tall and broad-shouldered, he would have passed for a Man at first glance. However, he was an Elf, one of the eldest of the races of Middle Earth. His name was Legolas, a Sindar Elf with fair hair and blue eyes. In comparison, his companion was a head shorter with a firm set to her jaw and the brown hair of the Silvan Elves. Like him, she was dressed in a simple tunic and leggings of brown and green, a curved shortbow and quiver on her back.

'Tauriel,' he said, kneeling down. 'What do you make of this?'

'Footprints,' Tauriel said, kneeling next to him. ' A Man, judging by the size. Less than half a day old. What would Men be doing so far off the paths...?

'An excellent question,' Legolas said, standing up. 'And one that we must answer. Come. Let us see where they lead...'

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They followed the footsteps deeper into the trees, the light fading into gloom as they grew closer together. Above them, the trees appeared to be shrouded in mist until the eye refocused, revealing the grey haze to be a mass of cobwebs.

'Legolas...' Tauriel said, unslinging her bow and he nodded.

'Yes. This is a spider's nest. Tread carefully and keep your eyes on the trees...'

They advanced slowly, alert for any sound or movement, until Legolas held up his hand.

'There,' he said, pointing through the gloom to where a dark, shadowy shape could be seen between the trees. There was the unsettling impression of a bulbous body and long, multi-jointed legs.

'I see it,' Tauriel said, knocking an arrow to her bow as they advanced. However, as they drew closer, it became clear that this was one giant spider that would not trouble unwary travellers ever again. It was lying on it's side, a long gash and trail of green blood evidence of it's demise. However, what interested Legolas more was the corpse of a Man on the ground next to it. He was dressed in rough leathers, a crude knife on his belt and a short sword having fallen from his lifeless hand.

'Look at his clothes,' Tauriel said, indicating his coarse, travel-stained tunic and breeches. 'He came from Laketown...'

'Yes,' Legolas said. 'Come. Our King will need to hear of this...'

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Tauriel followed Legolas towards the doors of King Thranduil's Sanctum where two members of the Royal Guard stood at attention, long pikes held in their hands. In their golden armour and high-crowned helmets, it was very hard to tell whether they were male or female. They bowed as Legolas approached, pushing open the doors and Tauriel trailed after him, unconsciously straightening her tunic. As a Silvan Elf, even one who served in the Elven Guard, it was a great honour to be in the presence of the King. Entering the throne room, Tauriel stood back as Legolas approached the Dias where his Father was seated on his throne. Fair-haired like his son, he was tall and proud with strong cheekbones and a silver crown on his head.

'My King,' Legolas said, inclining his head. 'We found a dead Man far from the paths on the eastern edge of our border, inside a Spider nest. It appears that he came from Laketown...'

'The death of one Man who strayed from the paths is no concern of ours...'

'I do not believe it was one man,' Legolas said. 'We found several sets of footprints, as well as a dead Spider. It appears that he, or his companions, had removed several eggs from the nest. If they have taken them back to Laketown...'

'...then they will be punished for their folly when they hatch,' Thranduil replied. 'I am more concerned with how the Spiders will react if they keep finding their nests plundered. There are ancient spiders of great evil and cunning that dwell in the deep woods far from our borders, some as vile as Ungolliant herself. If they are driven to attack us here, we may not have the strength to resist them. Travel to Laketown. Find who is responsible for these thefts and make sure that they will not trouble us further. Do you understand...?'

'Yes, My King,' Legolas said, turning and striding from the hall, Tauriel falling in behind him.

'Gather what supplies and provisions you need,' Legolas said. 'We leave in an hour...'

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any comments, reviews or constructive criticism very welcome.