Chapter 36

The Company saddles and rides Beorn's ponies. As they ride away, Beorn, who is staying at his house, looks around for danger. "Go now, while you have the light. The hunters are not far behind."

The company rides rapidly across the land, slowing to a stop as they approach a looming, gloomy-looking forest. Gandalf dismounts and walks into the edge of the forest through an ancient archway. "The Elven Gate." Gandalf turns and calls to the others. "Here lies our path through Mirkwood."

Dwalin said, "No sign of the Orcs. We have luck on our side." Dwalin dismounts.

Gandalf squints as he sees something in the distance; it is Beorn, in his bear-form, watching them from a distant ridge. "Set the ponies loose. Let them return to their master."

The dwarves, St. Anel and Bilbo dismount and begin taking their supplies off the ponies. Bilbo approaches the forest on foot. "This forest feels...sick, as if a disease lies upon it."

St. Anel said, "More like dying. It's screaming is loud in my ears." She put her veil on. "To think this was once beautiful green."

Bilbo asked, "Is there no way around?"

Gandalf said, "Not unless we go two hundred miles north, or twice that distance south."

Gandalf follows a path a few feet further into the shadows and approaches a plant-covered statue. At the same time, Bilbo, who is standing by himself, reaches into his pocket and, after some internal conflict, slowly pulls out the Ring and fingers it. Just like when he examined it in Beorn's house, we hear the voice whispering the "One Ring to rule them all" chant. As Gandalf approaches the statue, Galadriel suddenly appears; she is evidently thought speaking to Gandalf from Rivendell. "Something moves in the shadows unseen, hidden from our sight. Every day it grows in strength. Beware the Necromancer. He is not what he seems." Gandalf approaches the statue apprehensively, then quickly yanks off the vines, revealing a painted-on Eye of Sauron. The Flaming Eye of Sauron burst on the screen for a second, and Bilbo, holding the Ring, gasps slightly. "If our enemy has returned, we must know. Go to the tombs in the mountains."

Gandalf, hearing her words in his head, nods in agreement. "The High Fells. So be it." The unladen ponies trot away; Nori is just about to finish unsaddling Gandalf's horse when Gandalf emerges from the forest. "Not my horse! I need it."

As Gandalf strides forward, the Company looks up and murmurs in surprise. Bilbo asked, "You're not leaving us?"

Gandalf replied, "I would not do this unless I had to."

St. Anel grabbed him. "You can't. The elves here they've been hunting me cause I'm a half elf."

Gandalf said, "That is my fault. I should've taken you here first before you joined this journey. But if you need more security, don't speak to them. Tell them nothing of the mountain, the dragon, or even your past. Even if they torture you. The king is not as kind and merciful as of late." St. Anel let him go. Gandalf looks at Thorin, then turns and looks at a dejected Bilbo. "You've changed, Bilbo Baggins. You're not the same Hobbit as the one who left the Shire."

Bilbo said, "I was going to tell you; I...found something in the Goblin tunnels."

Gandalf asked, "Found what?" Gandalf leans forward curiously and suspiciously; Bilbo doesn't answer immediately, but fumbles with the ring in his pocket. "What did you find?"

Bilbo stays silent for several more seconds, then finally responds. "My courage." He removes his hand from his pocket.

Gandalf said, "Good. Well, that's good. You'll need it." Gandalf turns and begins walking toward his horse; he speaks as he passes Thorin. "I'll be waiting for you at the overlook, before the slopes of Erebor. Keep the map and key safe. Do not enter that mountain without me." Gandalf stops and looks hard at Thorin as he says this, then continues toward his horse. "This is not the Greenwood of old. The very air of the forest is heavy with illusion. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray."

Bilbo asked Dwalin, "Lead us astray? What does that mean?"

Gandalf gets on his horse. It begins raining lightly, even though the sun is out. "You must stay on the path; do not leave it. If you do, you will never find it again." Gandalf wheels his horse and rides away. "No matter what may come, stay on the path!"