Stop! Make sure you read the previous chapter as that and this have been posted at the same time! Don't skip!

Chapter 17

On our last night with Beorn, we are sitting with the others, Aiden tucked up with Kili as we listen to more stories. That's when Ori pipes up.

"Sophia, could you tell us a story from your home?" he has his book and quill out, prepared to write down what I say.

I smile. "You want to hear one of my stories?"

"Oh yes, lass. Let's hear one." Bofur replies eagerly.

I am met with a round of agreements from the dwarves and Bilbo, even Gandalf who is sitting not far is smiling at the thought of a story from me. I just grin as I tap my lips with my finger, humming in thought as I think of a story.

"I've got one. Now, this story hasn't been heard by anyone from our world before, it's just one I made up, so I hope it will satisfy you."

"A story's a story lass." Bofur says with a grin as he lounges back on his arm.

I grin as I begin to tell my story.

"Okay. So, this is a story about a husband and wife that are torn apart by duty. Once upon a time, a long time ago, there lived a husband and wife named Ishan and Luna. They were deeply in love with one another and were each other's best friends, however there was one problem; they couldn't see each other everyday.

You see, Ishan and Luna are guardians of the world. Ishan would watch over everyone and everything during the day, while Luna would continue protecting them during the night. They are what we now call the sun and the moon, their names having been lost throughout the ages.

While the couple were happy with their duties and loved they people they were in charge of protecting, they had grown jealous of them. Everyday and every night they would watch in envy as the people and animals would be with their partners, spouses and mates, hugging, loving and kissing one another as they lived, starting families of their own, while this was something Ishan and Luna could only dream of doing.

Thus they would continue with this torture of watching over the world for all eternity, each of them longing and praying for their other half, their partners in life, wishing for a time where they could be together once again.

As he watched, the creator of the world became sad that they could not have what they longed for, feeling the pity growing as they continued to watch those below be with those they loved. And so, he granted them their wish, but there was a clause. Once every year, there would be a day when the sun and the moon would become one in the sky, this would be the time where Ishan and Luna would be reunited for a brief time.

And so it was agreed, Ishan and Luna would continue to watch the creations that lived on the world, while looking forward to the day when they would see each other once again, where they could be in each other's company for a few moments during the day before they would continue with their duties.

Even now, as Ishan and Luna rise each night, you can see and feel the anxiety and excitement they feel, waiting for the day that they would be with each other once again."

Hearing a few sniffles, I look up and see a few of the dwarves having tears in their eyes, especially Gloin and Bombur, who I expect are thinking about their own wives who are waiting for them in Ered Luin.

"Thank you, Sophia." Bombur says with a watery smile.

I smile back, nodding my head to him.

"Tell us another, Soph!" Fili says enthusiastically.

I just grin. "Maybe another night. It is now way past someone's bedtime, and I think we all need an early night to prepare for morning."

Aiden's huge smile soon drops as I mention bedtime, causing the others to laugh, but Thorin agrees with me as he stands, snuffing out his pipe as he does.

"Sophia's right. We are up at dawn in the morning. Let's get as much sleep as we can tonight."

We all say goodnight before Aiden and I go up to the spare bedroom and sleep.

Soon enough the morning arrives when we leave Beorn's home and continue on our quest. Berorn helps us with provisions; food, water, all of us getting bows and Oin and I getting a pack each of healing supplies.

The dwarves, Bilbo and I get on the ponies Beorn provides for us while he and Gandalf are standing aside, talking. After asking him, Thorin allows Aiden to ride in front of him, which makes me happy now that Aiden is really opening up to everyone now.

I hop up and pull Bilbo up behind me, since most of us are sharing.

"You alright back there, Bilbo?" I ask the hobbit as I take the reins to the black and white pony.

"Yes, yes. I think I'm getting the hang of this riding business."

The pony makes a sudden move, causing Bilbo to quickly wrap his arms around me tightly so he doesn't fall. I have to giggle at this.

"Sure about that?"

He just grumbles, which causes me to giggle more.

"Gandalf! Time is wasting!" Thorin calls from ahead.

Looking up, I see Gandalf making his way over before Beorn stops him to say something.

I move my pony up to Thorin and smile at Aiden's big grin.

"Everything alright, sweetie?"

Aiden's grin turns to me. "I'm on a horse again!"

I giggle as Thorin and Bilbo chuckle at his excitement. "Pony, my dear. And yes, you are."

He smiles before looking up to Thorin. "You won't let me fall, will you?"

Thorin smiles down at him. "Of course I won't. You'll be safe with me."

He smiles before snuggling back into his chest, causing me to smile as Thorin wraps an arm around him. That's when Gandalf joins us, mounting his horse and we all ride off, Beorn watching over us.

We spend the next few days riding, only stopping to rest at the night, Thorin having two of us on watch at a time just in case. During these rests, the dwarves badger me to tell them more stories, which of course I do, though I continue to tell them more Disney stories. The first being the story of Mulan – which is one of my favourites – and then The Little Mermaid. Everyone enjoys the stories, particularly Mulan, since there's fighting involved, which causes me to roll my eyes.

We soon arrive at the borders of what I assume is Mirkwood Forest, but as I look at it, I suddenly have a bad feeling about it. . .something is wrong. It's then I feel that prickling in my head again, which is starting to get slightly annoying now. Gandalf dismounts and walks over to the entrance.

"The Elven Gate. Here lies our path through Mirkwood."

"No sign of the Orcs. We have luck on our side." Dwalin calls out as he also dismounts.

"Set the ponies loose. Let them return to their master." Gandalf reminds us.

After Bilbo and I dismount, take take the packs from them. Bilbo approaches the forest.

"This forest feels. . .sick, as if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way around?"

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

"I wouldn't mind taking those options." I mutter as I help Ori.

After a few moments, we manage to get everything off the ponies and begin distributing the packs around, Aiden even having a small one of his own to carry. Nori is just about to unsaddle Gandalf's horse when the wizard emerges from the forest.

"Not my horse! I need it."

As he strides forward, we look up at him in shock and surprise.

"You're not leaving us?" Bilbo asks in confusion.

"I would not do this unless I had to."

After Gandalf glances at Thorin, I look to the dwarf and see he is not happy at all by this news. I reach out and place a hand on his arm, causing him to look to me.

"We'll be alright in there. . .won't we?"

He gives me a reassuring smile, or as reassuring as he can given the current situation. He wraps his arm around me to give me a comforting embrace.

"Yes. We will. You have nothing to worry about."

I freeze for a second as I feel his lips brush against my forehead as he pulls away before I smile as Aiden takes our hands.

After talking with Bilbo, 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. There is a stream in the woods that carries a dark enchantment. Do not touch the water. Cross only by the stone bridge. The very air of the forest is heavy with illusion. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray."

Bilbo looks to Dwalin "Lead us astray? What does that mean?"

Dwalin just shrugs as 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!"

Thorin and Company turn toward the forest.

"Come on. We must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin's Day." Thorin calls out as he leads the way in.

"Durin's Day. Let's go!"

"This is our one chance to find the hidden door."

Aiden and I follow, with me giving a warning to Aiden to stay close.

And into Mirkwood we go, finally.

The story in this chapter is one I created specifically for this. I'm hoping that it's good enough as I'm also hoping to have something published with it. Please let me know on your thoughts of it.