Riswynn waited outside as the others gathered supplies given to them by Beorn, standing in the warm sunlight she sighed in contentment. It was a beautiful morning, a light breeze tickled past her nose and the smell of sweet flowers and dew greeted her. She inhaled taking in the scent committing it to memory, it was a strange place nestled in the forest, a quaint area where beast and man combined to live together. She watched with surprise as a round bumble bee buzzed its way toward her, landing gently on her shoulder, she eyed it from the corner of her golden eyes, it appeared soft to the touch covered with fine little hairs on its plump body. She remained as still as possible just watching it with contentment until it buzzed away, flying off in search of more pollen.
"What are you staring at female dwarf" Beorn said approaching her, his golden eyes scrutinizing her.
She sighed looking over her shoulder at the massive skin changer, he had a predatory look on his face one she assumed would always remain no matter his mood. "Riswynn"
He grunted crossing his arms over his wide chest, blinking as he stared down his nose at the tiny golden female.
She wanted to roll her eyes at the way he was watching her, like she might combust and destroy his little cottage "my name isn't female dwarf, and I was only admiring your home, it is so peaceful here"
He swallowed hiding his surprise, this dwarf seemed different than the rest, she didn't seem to mind his animals, or his unnerving eyes having the very same herself, which he found intriguing, he was not aware any other race had golden eyes except his. He sighed "Very well Riswynn, your companions are leaving you should join them while you still have the light" he said turning transforming in once swift motion into a massive brown bear.
She watched with fascination, as the huge creature lumbered away, despite his size he was relatively silent as he moved, his paws only softly crunching the leaves and grass underfoot.
"Miz Kedzêl we are ready to leave" Thorin said quietly walking up behind her placing his hands around her waist, breathing in the smell of her hair, there was something about her that drew him close, she was his personal golden stash, perfection in the flesh, and he couldn't help but touch her. She smelt of campfire smoke, and pine trees and he inhaled groaning low in his throat, she was addictive.
She felt her cheeks heat at the affectionate contact, still not used to being touched, standing stalk still her spine ridged her eyes swirling with crimson as her emotions were sent ablaze. She was acutely aware of his presence behind her, she could hear his breath and the beat of his heart, feel his breath on her neck. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to relax back into his warm chest "Thorin, perhaps we should focus on the task at hand, the lads are waiting for you" she said with a smirk on her face as he snorted in annoyance.
Thorin stepped back with a frown releasing his one, missing the warmth that seemed to radiate from her, she turned and gave him a warm smile her eyes shining brightly a deep scarlet colour reaching out her hand tentatively he smiled softly taking it and led her toward several ponies the skinchanger had graciously provided them with to journey toward the greenwood. "Come you shall have your own mount this time" he said with a small smirk on his face, and she rolled her eyes at him.
Riswynn smiled as a stout little beast was led toward her, it was a fine-looking stallion with a long mane of thick black and white hair to match his glossy coat. She ran her fingers over its snout, her golden eyes locking with dark brown. The pony tossed its head in agitation, and she smirked moving around its side to mount up pulling herself in the saddle, sighing in happiness, her feet sore from all the walking they had endured on the journey and he many injuries required proper time to heal. She tended to be lucky in that regard, her wounds only seemed to last days rather than weeks at a time, she supposed it had something to do with her cursed blood not that she complained. She clicked her tongue and kicked her heels softly moving the beast toward the others a smile on her face as she looked up and discovered them waiting for her to take her place at the front of the progression.
"Come let us reach the greenwood before days end" Gandalf said steering his large mount away from its master's home.
Riswynn allowed her eyes to wander over the landscape as they rode, it was another lovely sunny afternoon, a light breeze tickled her nose, and on the wind came the faint scent of something sinister. She inhaled deeply trying to pinpoint the new scent, it smelled nothing like orc nor Warg, it was a foul odour that reeked of rot and decay.
Thorin watched her from the corner of his eye, she was alert in the saddle, her back straight as she peered around them, her eyes remaining a deep red, she inhaled deeply allowing her chest to expand, he didn't understand the parameters of her curse, only bits and pieces she would explain but he knew her senses to be far better than his own. It was a curious thing her curse, he had never heard of such a thing, and even Gandalf seemed at a lost of what ailed her. She was leaning forward now eyes focused on a small dark patch on the horizon, he turned to look at it as well, squinting his eyes he could make out the blurred shapes of trees "Gandalf are we arriving at the Greenwood?" he asked his eyes straying from the forest to the wizard who rode just ahead of him.
Gandalf looked over his shoulder at the dwarf leader and nodded his head "We shall take the kings rode, it should still be safe, but I would like everyone to be on guard"
Riswynn blew out a breath trying to rid her nose of the foulness that clung there, she could see the beginnings of the forest just ahead, where she expected lush green forests, she discovered the remnants of a once great forest. Trees littered the ground, decaying and broken, thick vines trailed across the gate that welcomed them. Once they arrived, she jumped from her mount, taking in a deep breath she discovered the smell was coming from the woods, it was foul and smelt of death like the trees held a sickness among them.
"This forest feels sick" she said stepping up beside Gandalf as he walked toward the large antler gate.
"People have begun to call the forest Mirkwood, as a sickness lies over it, the very air is foul with decay, you must stay on the path, if you lose it you will never find it again" he said whistling for his horse.
Bilbo looked at his friend in shock, watching as the wizard mounted up again leaving them standing with wide eyes and open mouths "You aren't leaving us again are you" he stuttered, clearing his throat.
Gandalf looked down at the tiny hobbit and gave him a sad smile "I would not do this unless I had too, I shall meet you on the overlook upon the slopes of Erebor, do not enter that mountain without me" he said sweeping his eyes over the curly head of the hobbit to stare openly at Thorin, who only frowned and looked away.
Riswynn clenched her teeth to supress a growl of frustration "So that's it then, led us to the path and let us follow it blindly"
Gandalf sighed looking at the frustrated dwarrowdam with eyes of bloody crimson, she was strong and the forest was unlikely to affect her in the same way it perhaps would the others. "You are many things my dear, but blind is not one of them, remember to stay on the path, I will return shortly" he said kicking his heels into his mount he raced away leaving them to watch his retreating figure.
She blew out a breath, gnashing her teeth walking toward the forest as the others stood still, wondering what to do with themselves now that their resident wizard disappeared. She passed through the gate turning to look over her shoulder at them "Come on, we must continue without him"
"But Gandalf" Bilbo protested weakly pointing at the figure who was no longer in sight.
She sighed shaking her head "He is gone Master Baggins, and we haven't an idea of when he shall return, we can't simply stand here until he does"
"She is right, we must reach the mountain before Durin's Day, it is our one chance to find the hidden door" Thorin said walking toward the dam, placing a hand on her shoulder as he past he gave it a gentle squeeze.
She followed behind him, her senses on high alert as the hairs on the nape of her neck stood on end, she was on edge, unable to relax as the gloom only increased the further, they walked. The trees were bent and twisted; thick vines ran across them clinging to decaying bark. Everywhere seemed to be covered in moss and fungus, the air was heavy with moisture the humidity making sweat pour down her back.
"How can we be sure this is the path; everything looks the same" Bofur shouted alarm in his voice.
She turned and looked over her shoulder at him, sympathising with him, it was a strange place to be, it felt as if the trees were closing in on them as they walked, but she knew better, she could detect beneath the filth on the ground the faint outline of stone walkways, kicking clumps of moss and dirt with her boot she was able to uncover small sections of the path as they walked "This is the right way, look here" she said gesturing to the ground before her "There is smooth stone beneath the moss, the elven path" she said her voice echoing through the area.
They walked for what seemed like an eternity, no light could penetrate the thick canopy above, and it seemed nightfall never arrived they were in a constant state of day, it was dim only bright enough to see a small distance in front of you. The path seemed to narrow and become more and more complicated the longer they walked, over fallen trees and around sharp corners, across rocky outcrops and down narrow passages, passing through the twisted roots of massive trees. She slowed as the footsteps behind her seemed to stop. She watched blinking her red eyes as Ori picked up a small leather pouch showing it to his older brother.
"There are dwarves in these woods" Dori said in alarm clutching the pouch tightly he looked around his eyes wide, as Bofur approached him and took it from his hand to bring it to his own face for inspection.
"Dwarves from the blue mountains no less, I have a tobacco pouch exactly like this one"
Bofur said with surprise, his fingers rubbing gingerly across the soft brown leather.
Riswynn snorted and turned toward them fully approaching the group of confused Dwarrow "Its because it is yours Bofur, the only dwarves in these woods are us you understand, we have been walking in circles"
Bofur looked up in surprise at the female Dwarrow before him, he swallowed and took a step back pointing a finger at her "Lads I found a dwarrowdam, what is she doing all the way out here" he called in alarm.
Bilbo snorted "This is Riswynn, she has been traveling with us the entire time" he said unamused crossing his arms over his chest, tapping his large hairy foot in irritation.
"I think I would remember a dam traveling with me" Bofur said confused scratching at his chin.
"She's mine" Thorin growled out throwing his arm over her shoulder pulling her into his chest as his eyes glared at the other Dwarrow present. Something about the female told him so, her golden eyes, her plaited hair, it was done by his hand he could tell, her warmth and smell assaulted him giving him a moment of clarity. He looked down at her finding her rolling her eyes at him, patting him on the chest "Yes Thorin, I am yours, now come along lads I shall lead the way" she said with a snort of amusement watching as they all nodded and followed along like obedient beasts. It seemed the forest was altering their minds, all except the hobbit who appeared to be mostly unaffected.
She walked grimacing at the uneven twisted ground, it was slow going, barely able to walk at point she had to brace herself to move over thin branches to cross dangerous bogs that seemed to breathe as steam steadily raised from their depths. She stopped looking frantically at the ground, huffing as someone collided with her back, sending her to her knees. She sucked in a breath digging at the ground to reveal the ancient stone path, only met by handfuls of damp dirt beneath her fingers. She hissed digging up clumps of earth tossing it over her shoulder in a panic "Where is it, where is it" she chanted her eyes glowing like the sun in the darkness as she became increasingly angered.
"Why have we stopped" Thorin shouted, pushing past bodies to stand behind Riswynn, who was still frantically searching for something.
Riswynn turned to look up into Thorin's confused blue eyes "I've lost the path" she shrieked moving forward on hands and knees to continue searching.
"Everyone find the path" Thorin bellowed out, his eyes scanning the surroundings for familiarity, they had to be close, they were just on the path moments ago, how was it possible to lose it this easily.
Bilbo shook his head, a weariness was clinging to him, threatening to drag him into a deep slumber. He hated the forest; it was damp and dark and smelt terrible. The air seemed to thick to take a proper breath of air and the dwarves had begun to act strangely. He fiddled with the golden ring in his pocket, it drew him in, the weight of it a comfort, he was almost tempted to put it on, perhaps it would help him think more clearly.
"We lost the sun" Gloin shouted, throwing his ax across the forest floor in anger.
Bilbo watched the weapon sail through the air and embed itself into the bark of a large tree. He watched the tiny flecks of light from above them reflect off the metal, calling to him, reminding him that above this dreaded forest the sun shone bright and beautiful.
"Wait, the sun" he called but it seemed that no one heard his calls, they were busy arguing, pushing each other, shouting and cursing in their strange tongue. He noticed that one stood out alone, Riswynn was staring upwards as well, her golden hair a beacon of light in the darkness.
"Riswynn" he shouted getting her attention, watching as she slowly turned toward him and cocked her head to the side in confusion. He waved her over desperately and she nodded approaching him "Yes Bilbo?" she said with a sigh.
He pointed upwards "The sun" he said proudly to which she raised a brow in confusion "What about it"
He rolled his eyes with a groan "Above the canopy it must be sunlight, help me up this tree I want to look out over the treeline, maybe we are closer than we think"
She smiled and clapped him on the shoulder "That is brilliant Bilbo, come I'll give you a boost" she said moving to a sturdy looking pine. She held her hands out and hoisted the smaller hobbit up into the branches, watching as his large hairy feet moved out of sight the higher, he climbed. Eventually she couldn't see him and looked down toward the others, noticing the quiet that seemed to take over the forest. She leaned against the tree, frowning as the thick mossy fungus stuck to her skin. She grunted brushing her palms against her trousers, sitting on her rear she waited for the hobbit to return.
Bilbo was never so glad to breath clean fresh air as he was in that moment, the sunlight was warm against his face and a breeze tickled his nose. He could hear the calls of birds from above the canopy of leaves, see butterflies float away on beautiful blue wings. He turned and scanned the horizon, surprised to seem the lonely mountain in the distance, they were not that far away now, the journey almost at its end. Thorin was correct they just needed to travel East, and they would be out of Mirkwood. In his moment of solace, he noticed something strange, the trees seemed to come alive, swaying back and forth as something large, moved unseen. He frowned and squinted his eyes to get a better look, when the trees around him seemed to vibrate and move, the crunching and snapping of twigs made his eyes go wide, something was coming and it was huge, the others needed to be warned.