Summary: Bilbo is glad that Hobbits can navigate through nearly any type of situation as long as they know which direction they want to go, else losing the Elven path would have been just like last time.
Bilbo walked next to Sam, Sam's hand in his, like most Hobbits Sam could still feel the lingering Sickness on the Forest and Bilbo had been forced to lift Frodo onto his back and carry Merry in his arms while Sam carried Pippin on his back as the three younger Hobbits hadn't been able to stop vomiting when they took their first steps in the darkened woods, Sam was doing quite well for being so young though they had had to stop a few times for him to be sick and had lost the Elven path fairly early due to stepping off of it for Sam to be sick.
But Bilbo was not too worried, Hobbits had a wonderful sense of direction, even here Bilbo knew they were travelling the correct way, it was hard to mislead a Hobbit and Bilbo was disappointed that he had not demanded to lead the Dwarrow through the Elven wood during their journey so long ago, but they had made it out and they would this time as well.
"Doing well, Sam?" Bilbo asked softly as they stopped again.
Sam nodded as he wiped his mouth and then took Bilbo's hand again, "Are we nearly out?"
Bilbo nodded, "A day or two more and we should reach the edge of the Forest, assuming we manage to avoid the spiders."
"And the Elves?" Sam asked softly, "Are we avoiding those too?"
Bilbo hesitated, "Not particularly, I want to reach Erebor before we go searching out Elves for you to meet, is that alright, Sam?"
Sam nodded, "I want to be safe too, Mr. Bearman said the Elves were being nice but... they might be afraid of showing him their true face."
"After we reach Erebor I'm sure Thorin wouldn't mind taking you to see Elves, there may even be an Elleth in Erebor, if Kili and Fili's letters are correct." Bilbo told them.
"Are Elleth's more rare than regular Elves?" Sam asked, "Elleths are girl elves, right?"
"Yes, Elleths are female Elves but I do not know if they are rarer, you may have to ask Tauriel once we arrive." Bilbo told him.
"Okay." Sam said softly and fell silent as they walked.
Bilbo worried a little about Sam, he'd probably need to carry him for some time after they got out of Mirkwood but Bilbo wouldn't mind.
"You're doing good, Samwise, I'm proud of you." Bilbo said softly.
Sam looked up at Bilbo, "Do you think Ma and Da would be too?"
Bilbo had only told Sam about the Hobbits that had made their way to Erebor and explained that it was possible though unlikely that their parents had survived. It had been suggested by Sam to not tell the others, they would hope and then be disappointed if their parents hadn't made it.
"Of course they are." Bilbo assured Sam.
Sam nodded, "Okay."