Beorn lent us some ponies. Gandalf and I got given horses. Mine's was a beautiful chestnut colour, as was Gandalf. Kili helped me saddled the beast. Having only ridden a pony previously, I was not ready for this upgrade. I wondered what happened to my little pony.
"Go now, while you have the light. The hunters are not far behind," Beorn urged us as we mounted.
We turned away from the cottage and rode rapidly towards a large woods. More like a forest to me. The forest was rather gloomy and deserted looking. I wondered if it was still occupied by the wood-elves cause it certainly didn't look like it was. Gandalf and I were the first to arrive at the edge of the forest. There was an old, crumbling archway that lead into the forest. I dismounted and approached the archway, enchanted by its beauty. Gandalf dismounted behind me.
"The Elven Gate," Gandalf told me.
I nodded, a hand lightly tracing one off the pillars.
"Here lies our path through Mirkwood," Gandalf called to the others.
"No sign of the Orcs," Dwalin grunted, pulling up beside us. "We have luck on our side,"
"But for how long?" I asked as he dismounted.
"Long enough," Dwalin responded.
Gandalf squinted past us, gazing at something in the distance I turned to follow his gaze. On top of a mound was a large bear watching us. Beorn.
"Set the ponies loose," Gandalf ordered. "And your horse, Rosalie, let them return to their master,"
I began to unload the supplies Beorn had given us from my horse. Everyone else dismounted around me and began to do the same. Bilbo walked up to the forest entrance.
"This forest feels…sick," Bilbo muttered as I joined him. "As if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way around?"
"Something does feel off about it," I agreed, gazing into its depths and shivering.
"Not unless we go two hundred miles north, or twice that distance south," Gandalf responded.
My heart sank at that. There was no quick way around it, meaning we'd have to brave going through it. Began to fear whatever the sickness was and if we'd avoid it. Gandalf walked up a path a few feet away and stopped at a statue covered in moss and leaves. Bilbo turned the other way and began to play with something in his pocket. I turned to help the others unpack the ponies. Once we had finished unpacking them, the ponies and my horse trot away back to their master. I watched them go, bitterly regretting watching them go. At least on horseback I know there's a chance I could out run whatever was after us now. Nori was about finishing off with Gandalf's horse when Gandalf returned to us, looking grim and worried.
"Not me horse!" he cried quickly. "I need it,"
Gandalf strode towards his horse with purpose. Everyone turned and stared at him, muttering in surprise. I didn't like this. He'd only need the horse if he was leaving. Without Gandalf, I felt like bad things were going to happen. Just like the mountain with the goblin things.
"You're not leaving us?" Bilbo asked, voicing my worry.
"I would not do this unless I had tom" Gandalf told Bilbo.
Gandalf turned to look at Thorin before turning back to gaze at a dejected looking Bilbo. He frowned, as if he could not quite figure out what was up with Bilbo. I have to admit: Bilbo does seem different but I can't say how.
"You've change, Bilbo Baggins," Gandalf announced. "You're not the same Hobbit as the one who left the shire,"
"I was going to tell you; I… found something in the Goblin tunnels." Bilbo said nervously.
"Found what?" Gandalf asked.
Bilbo hesitated as Gandalf lent closer with a look of curiosity and suspicion on his face. Bilbo gulped nervously and fumbled with something in his pocket.
"What did you find?" Gandalf insisted.
Bilbo remained silent for several more seconds before responding.
"My courage," he said, withdrawing his hand from his pocket.
"Good," Gandalf said, nodding in satisfaction. "Well that's good. You'll need it,"
Gandalf turned and began walking back to his horse. He spoke to Thorin on the passing.
"I'll be waiting for you at the overlook, before the slopes of Erebor," Gandalf told him. "Keep the map and key safe. Do not enter that mountain without me,"
Gandalf paused to give Thorin a long, hard look before continuing to his horse. I had a feeling that Thorin would enter that mountain with or without Gandalf now.
"This is not the Greenwood of old," Gandalf warned us. "The very air off the forest is heavy with illusion. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray,"
I gulped at that and laughed nervously. The more I stand in front of this forest, the less I want to enter it. I am not a brave dwarf or a courageous little Hobbit. I am just a human girl lost in a world different from my own.
"Lead us stray?" Bilbo repeated, turning to Dwalin. "What does that mean?"
"This does not sound safe," I argued.
"You must stay on the path; do not leave it," Gandalf told us sternly. "If you do, you will never find it again,"
Oh dear lord. I am going to die in a horrible, diseased forest. Gandalf turned and rode off into the distance.
"No matter what may come, stay on the path!" Gandalf called as he rode off."
We all turned to face the forest. I felt more nervous and frightened than ever. And I've faced goblins and orcs and almost fell to my death. I never knew a forest could strike so much fear into me.
"Come on," Thorin grunted. "We must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin's Day,"
"Right," I agreed, nodding.
"Durin's Day. Let's go!" Dwalin cried.
"This is our one chance to find that hidden door," Thorin insisted.
"You could always wait until next year?" I suggested.
Thorin turned to glower at me.
"And allow someone else to take what is rightfully mine?" Thorin thundered.
"Alright, alright, it was just a backup," I said, stepping back.
Thorin turned and entered Mirkwood. The company followed him without question. I hesitated before scurrying reluctantly after them.
"The path goes this way," Thorin announced as the path turned round a corner.
