A/N I HATE MIRKWOOD! It is always a pain to write . Next story is going to be a modern!AU if only for the benefit of not having to deal with blasted Mirkwood. I can't understand why I have so many problems with that part of the story. Probably because of the spiders. Anyway, with a pretty long delay here is the next chapter. Recommended song for this chapter: Beside the fire by Anois ( they have a truly beautiful cover of the song that appears in the Lord of the Rings ). Hope this chapter ended up ok :) From next chapter onwards there will be two different point of views so I shall write separate chapters for them as I did for the goblin caves.

Warnings: Will have mentions of war, blood, gore, injuries, character death etc. There will be movie and book spoilers as well. This is going to be non graphic Thorin/Bilbo slash so if these things bother you, try my other story Only time will tell which features close friendship instead.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything ( except the wolf ). I'm merely borrowing the characters to play with them.


Chapter XI: Darkness in my eyes and poison in my mind

Eryn Galen had been its name once. Greenwood the Great men called it and in the past it was truly a wonder to behold. Now it was no longer so. Mirkwood it was called and it truly deserved its name. The forest was dark and damp, the air musky and hard to breath. The forest seemed to be pressing on them on all sides. The narrow path was barely visible in the dark and more than once huge, glittering eyes peered at them from the leaves of the trees. Each time they shone in the darkness, Bilbo found himself flinching and shielding away. There was something dark about those eyes, something unnatural...

As they delved deeper in deeper inside the forest, Bilbo was able to see the change Beorn had been talking about. As soon as they had stepped on the forest path, Cypress had tensed and drew into herself. With each step she made, the tension increased and she tended to snap and growl at anyone who dared approach her – except Bilbo. The dwarves all started watching her with weary eyes, reluctant to believe the wolf that had aided them was turning feral, but blaming the change on the forest instead. Still, Bilbo knew it was not only the forest that was poisoning the wolf's soul... even he had trouble getting to her from time to time. She no longer accepted being petted and drew away even from the smallest gesture. She guarded him with barely veiled viciousness, growling low at any perceived threat – both real and imaginary. As days passed, Bilbo found himself at wit's end. What had happened to her? What had changed her?

All of them were in low spirits. Their food was dwindling with each day that passed and their water had to be rationed. The forest seemed to be without end and the oppressive darkness was dampening their spirits. After spending a week in the forest all were tense and ready to lash at one another. Click-clacks rang in the darkness, sometimes very close to their position, a fact which had the younger dwarves worried and Cypress even more on the edge.

Trying to chase the gloom away and to calm his wolf, Bilbo turned to something all hobbits loved: singing. At first, he merely hummed to himself, drawing near to Cypress and brushing his side against her fur. Although she no longer allowed him to pet her, the wolf leaned into his touch for the first time since entering the forest. Heartened by this, Bilbo placed a hand on her back and continued his song, this time accompanying with words. It was an old ballad from the Shire, one his mother had sung to him when he was little. When the song stopped, he was startled to see three young dwarfs clustered around him and the rest of the Company several paces in front or behind him.

Blushing furiously, Bilbo tried to stammer an excuse – surely singing in an evil infested forest where they did not know what could attack them was not the proper thing to do – until Thorin stopped him and said in a deep and almost soothing voice.

"Peace, Master Baggins, there is no need to apologize."

"That song is the first cheerful thing we heard since we entered this blasted forest," Bofur added.

"Know any others, laddie?" Balin added with a comforting smile.

And so it was that Bilbo found himself going through his whole repertoire of Shire songs and ballads. Some made his heart ache as they reminded him of his parents. Others brought a smile on his face because they made him think of his home. However, all brought comfort to their Company and even seemed to calm Cypress down. When he found that he could no longer remember any of them, he started composing some of his own.

I sit beside the fire and think

of all that I have seen,

of meadow-flowers and butterflies

In summers that have been;

Of yellow leaves and gossamer

in autumns that there were,

with morning mist and silver sun

and wind upon my hair.

Sometimes, when they had already camped and the mood rose, some of the dwarves joined in with their instruments – Bilbo would forever wonder how they had managed to keep hold of them in the Goblin Caves.

I sit beside the fire and think

of how the world will be

when winter comes without a spring

that I shall ever see.

For still there are so many things

that I have never seen:

in every wood in every spring

there is a different green.

Dori, Nori and Ori would take out their flutes and play the tune, learning it as Bilbo sang. The brothers would clap in rhythm to the music, while Dwalin would pretend to be aloof and above such trivial matters ( still he would not be able to help himself and tap his fingers to his legs, keeping the beat ). Bifur and Bofur would accompany the 'Ri brothers with their clarinets – and truly, music was one of the few things that calmed Bifur and brought him out of his dark moods. Bombur would watch his brother and cousin fondly, while Balin would be at his brother's side, bemoaning the loss of their viols in the depth of the mountain.

I sit beside the fire and think

of people long ago,

and people who will see a world

that I shall never know.

As for Thorin, sometimes, if they were very lucky, his deep voice would ring in the night. Some members of the Company would wonder at how perfect the voice of their leader sounded mingling with the much softer one of their burglar. All of them would watch the fond looks that would pass between the two and the flush of pleasure on the hobbit's face whenever their gazed locked mid song. The others would simply smile to themselves and say nothing; however, unknown to Bilbo and Thorin many bets would be made.

But all the while I sit and think

of times there were before,

I listen for returning feet

and voices at the door.

After the end of the song, all things would return to normal. Thorin would take watch and keep a vigil eye over his Company. Bilbo would be back to trying to find out what was wrong to Cypress. The others would continue planning their journey ahead. And two young princes would continue plotting... their Uncle and Bilbo would be perfect together. If only the two could see that...


After two weeks had passed they finally reached the river Beorn had told them about. By that time, their water was running dangerously low, their food was scarce and all of them were in foul tempers. Even Bilbo no longer had the heart to sing and as a result Cypress was back to her tense self.

Her dreams were plagued by fire and darkness, while her waking hours heard the poisonous whispers that grew louder and louder with each day that passed. The biggest part of her wanted to spring free of her supposed bonds and run into the woods like a wild thing. She wanted to find the creatures that made her feel so scared and tear into them, taste their blood and stop the infernal click-clacking. However, the small, sane part of her mind was still bound by duty to Bilbo. Everything was simply tearing her apart. She felt as if she was standing on the edge of the abyss once more... one soft gust of wind would be enough to send her plunging in the darkness.

The boat that bore them across the river was shaky and seemed much too frail. Bilbo clung to the wood until his knuckles turned white and gazed with fear at the ripples in the water. Hobbits were definitely not meant for crossing rivers. It wasn't until they had reached the other side and Thorin extended a hand to help him out of the boat – his large, calloused fingers feeling so right over Bilbo's soft, smaller ones – that Bilbo finally relaxed. Next to his feet Cypress was as tightly wound as a coin; every nerve in her body screamed danger and death. She knew the water was wrong and could not be trusted.

Soon, most of the Company had made it across. Dwalin and Ori were just preparing to step out of the boat when out of nowhere a deer burst from the forest, running without stop towards the river. It sprang from the river banks and would have hit Ori, had Dwalin not pushed him aside in that exact moment. Instead, the deer hit the massive dwarf and made him topple in the water.

"Dwalin!" Three anguished cries came at the same time from Ori, Balin and Thorin. Quickly collecting his wits, the young scribe caught Dwalin by the hood in the last moment, before the river had the chance to whisk him away. Thorin too jumped in the water and together they brought the tattooed dwarf to safety on the river banks.

All held their breath as Oin inspected Dwalin thoroughly. After what seemed like an eternity the dwarf announced that their companion was in a magical induced sleep and would wake up in time. Luckily there was no water in his lungs as Ori had managed to act just in time. The young scribe was miserable, wringing his hands together and staring morosely everywhere. Guilt weighed heavily on him; Ori was barely able to gaze at Balin knowing that he had been the one because of whom Dwalin had fallen into the river. Moreover, Dori's mothering and fussing distressed him even more.

They built a stretcher and soldiered on. The dwarfs took turns carrying Dwalin. That night everyone was silent when they set camp. Balin was fraught with worry over his brother. The elder 'Ri brothers were still shaken by how close their brother had come to falling into the river. All feared what else the accursed forest would bring.

Ori stood by the fire, staring into darkness, daring not to look at anyone least they saw the guilt weighing down on him. It wasn't just the fact that Dwalin had fallen into the river to protect him. No, it was more... A gentle hand sat on his shoulder and Ori flinched. Turning around he met Bilbo's eyes and saw understanding in the hobbit's gaze.

"Do not allow the guilt to weigh on your soul. It was Dwalin's choice to protect you and he would be annoyed to see that you doubt his decisions. Besides," Bilbo reassured him. "he will wake up. And when he does, you should tell him. After all there's no knowing what tomorrow will bring."

Ori flushed bright red under the sage look the hobbit threw him. Perhaps Bilbo was right...


Days passed and their packs became lighter and lighter. They started despairing they would ever get out of the forest. It was during the fourth day since they had crossed the stream that disaster struck. A tree had fallen and blocked the path completely. There was no way they could climb over it or go around it without leaving the path. Although they would have to venture the depth of the woods for only a few paces all were loath the do so, remembering Beorn's advice.

The forest seemed even more threatening now that they had to venture through the woods. Several pairs of glimmering eyes peered at them from the foliage of the trees. Click-clacks rang everywhere as soon as they made the first steps of the forest path. It wasn't until they were all in the middle of the trees, Dwalin being carried by Dori and Bombur, that the attack came. Thick, spider webs rained down on them and gigantic arachnids sprang in their midst.

The spiders pressed on them on all sides. Kili's arrows flew based more on instinct that actual sight. All dwarves had their weapons out and started slaying the beasts, but as the spiders attacked they found themselves divided.

One of the arachnids attacked Cypress, its claws pressed dangerously to the wolf's neck. Cypress twisted, clawing and biting the spider. A red haze had settled over her eyes and she fought with fury, feeling the desire to rip the spiders apart, to tear their bodies and leave them a bloody mess. She howled when the pincers of one of the beasts bit into her skin and growled at it. An arrow flew mere inches from her and embedded itself in the spider's body. The wolf gave the still twitching spider the killing blow. However, she did not notice the string around her neck tear. As she sprang in the darkness, eager to find another foe, she failed to notice the necklace snapping and the Ring falling on the ground. She ran, not looking behind, fueled by battle lust. She forgot about her Master completely as she lost herself in the darkness.

Meanwhile, Bilbo had taken his small sword out, using it with more ease than the spear in the cluttered and oppressive forest. Soon, he found himself cut off from the rest of the Company. Even as the sword bit into the body of a spider and slew it on the spot, the hobbit noticed that he was all alone. His voice called the name of his companions, but the darkness of the forest brought no answer back. They had disappeared in the woods, forgetting about him.

His sword glowed with a dim blue light. There were orcs somewhere in the woods, far away perhaps, but still the danger existed. He had to find his friends. They had to get out of Mirkwood as soon as possible. He moved forward, aimlessly, desperately hoping he was moving in the right direction. After a few minutes he leaned on a tree, squinting in the darkness and calling desperately.

"Fili! Kili! Bofur! Balin! Ori! Nori! Thorin!"

No answer came and despair washed over him. What if they had been captured? What if they were far away and he had no hope of finding them? The forest was a maze and he had no map to help him navigate it. Something hit him at the back of the head and Bilbo found himself falling to the ground, a large spider descending upon him. With reflexes honed throughout the years, he twisted on the spot and drove his sword in the beast's stomach. The spider screeched and clacked its pincers in pain, but soon fell dead.

"Sting you shall be!" Bilbo said looking at his sword with determination burning in his eyes. "Sting, the spider's bane."

Just as he was about to rise to his feet and continue searching for his friends, his fingers stumbled over something cold and made of metal. With furrowed eyebrows, Bilbo picked up the object. It was a ring, plain and made of gold. Someone must have lost it in the forest, most likely someone who had fallen prey to the spiders. Without sparing it any other thought, Bilbo slipped it in his pocket, his fingers mindlessly playing with it as he moved forward as silently as possible.

Perhaps luck was finally on his side, because after what felt like hours of aimless walking, Bilbo stumbled across a tight patch of trees, bundled in spider webs. The beasts were everywhere and to his horror, Bilbo found out they were capable of speech.

"It was a sharp struggle, but worth it," said one. "What nasty thick skins they have to be sure, but I'll wager there is good juice inside." "Aye, they'll make fine eating, when they've hung a bit," said another. "Don't hang 'em too long," said a third. "They're not as fat as they might be. Been feeding none too well of late, I should guess." "Kill'em, I say," hissed a fourth; "kill 'em now and hang 'em dead for a while."

"They're dead now, I'll warrant," said the first.

"That they are not. I saw one a-struggling just now. Just coming round again, I should say, after a bee-autiful sleep. I'll show you."

It was only then that Bilbo noticed twelve silk cocoons, bundled tightly and hung up in trees. A nose, a leg or the tip of a hat peered from the spider webs. The dwarves had been caught and hung up like flies. One of the spiders pinched the biggest bundle – probably Bombur – whose free leg twitched and kicked the spider from the tree. Another big bundle – Dwalin most likely – started struggling in the bonds, trying to get free. It would have warmed Bilbo's heart to find out the tattooed dwarf had woken up had they not been in this predicament.

Unconsciously seeking some form of comfort and trying to gather up his courage and slip past the beasts, Bilbo slipped the Ring he had found on. He crept closer, trying to use the shadows of the forest as a shield. However, out of nowhere, a spider slung down to the ground on a spider web. The monster was just in front of Bilbo. With Sting in his hand, the hobbit prepared to fight till the end. However, the spider did nothing. It did not attack nor did it call the others over. It was as if he couldn't see Bilbo.

Cautiously, the hobbit moved around the creature. What was happening? It was as if he was invisible... it was in that moment that inspiration struck. The only thing that was different about Bilbo was the Ring he had found in the forest, the Ring that was now on his finger. Could it be a magical object? No matter what it was, Bilbo had to act fast.

Crunching to the ground, he grabbed the smoothest rocks he could find and started throwing them. He knocked three spiders from the branches and moved silently in another direction before hitting the ones on the ground.

"Old fat spider spinning in a tree!

Old fat spider can't see me!

Attercop! Attercop!

Won't you stop,

Stop your spinning and look for me!

Old Tomnoddy, all big body,

Old Tomnoddy can't spy me!

Attercop! Attercop!

Down you drop!

You'll never catch me up your tree!"

Bilbo sang and threw rocks, leading the spiders away from his friends. Since they could not see him, the spiders took the bait and left the prisoners behind, trying to pursue the one who was mocking them.

As soon as they disappeared in the woods, Bilbo took the Ring off and ran to the tree. Quickly, he started freeing his friends, trying to ignore the pang in his hear that told him there were only twelve dwarves and Cypress was nowhere to be seen. The two princes were released first, followed by Balin, Dwalin and Ori. Despite the direness of the situation, upon seeing Dwalin alive and awake, Ori threw caution to the wind. Grabbing hold of Dwalin's tunic, the young dwarf drew him close and kissed him soundly, before turning around and moving to free his brothers. The shocked look on Dwalin's face might have been amusing had their situation been more comfortable. As it was, they moved quickly and soon all twelve dwarves were freed. Their weapons had all been bundled together in a cannon hung to the tree.

"We need to talk," Dwalin grumbled at Ori before preparing to leave the tree. The scribe nodded... they both knew then was not the time for idle chat. However, once they were safe, they would talk.

As the Company jumped to the ground, preparing to flee to safety, the spiders returned. Their pincers clacked with malice.

"We see you, nasty creature! And we're going to eat you! But first we'll leave you hanging."

Bilbo moved forward, Sting slashing wildly everywhere and pushing the spiders backwards.

"Go! Go and don't look back. I will disappear and draw them away."

With those words Bilbo disappeared and another song rang in the air.

"Lazy Lob and crazy Cob

are weaving webs to wind me.

I am far more sweet than other meat,

but still they cannot find me!

Here am I, naughty little fly;

you are fat and lazy.

You cannot trap me, though you try,

in your cobwebs crazy."

The spiders quickly followed the nasty creature that had stabbed and mocked them, giving the dwarves the opportunity to press forward. Kili and Fili moved at the front, leading the Company in their uncle's stead who had proven to be the one missing member of their Company. All of them were sick and weary, barely able to move and defend themselves against the few spiders that had dared follow them.

At one point the hobbit reappeared at the back of their line, slashing at the spiders and urging everyone forward, convincing them not to give up. When things finally seemed hopeless they stepped inside a fire circle and noticed with amazement that the spiders were unable to follow them. The creatures hissed angrily and turned around, leaving the weary Company.

"Elven magic most likely," Balin remarked looking at the fire circle.

It was then that the last bit of strength left them. All members of the Company fell asleep, dreading what the following day would bring and wondering where Thorin was. Bilbo also wondered whether Cypress was still alive and whether she would ever return to him. Beorn's words and his own promise came back to him. He had failed his companion in the worst way possible. He had let her down and abandoned her.


Far away, in a different place of the forest, a tired wolf sat on the hard, cold ground to recover her strength. After she had ran away, the haze that had settled over her mind had started to dissipate. The poison coated whispers had stopped and slowly, Cypress had returned to who she really was. When the influence of the Ring had finally worn off she had found herself lost in the forest, far away from her master and with no way to return to him. She could not smell him or the dwarves anywhere.

With a bitter howl, she hoisted herself to her feet and moved onward. In the distance Cypress could smell fresh water... she was thirsty and hungry. Perhaps there she would be able to recover her strength and find the will to continue on. Somehow, she would return to her Master. Somehow, she would earn his forgiveness.


A/N The parts in bold and the songs are taken from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.