Chapter 7 – Leaving Mirkwood

As Narla followed the king and his son into his study chamber, she had a feeling of foreboding in her. Clutching her pendant ever so tightly, she made her way into her dream room, a room solely filled with books upon shelf by shelf. Narla had always wanted her own study room, or book room more like, but she didn't have the space and money. A library was the closest thing to what she dreamed of. She gazed around the room until she stopped face to face with the king, who was looking gravely at her.

"Narla child, I have a proposition for you," said King Thranduil.

And so the tale of the plague in Searia and the search of the great sage were unveiled to her. The more the king spoke, the more confused Narla became, for she didn't know how her pendant could be related to any of this, until the king mentioned how to find the sage. At first Narla refused to allow anyone take her pendant away, and that was when the king told of his idea,

"I think it best that you journey with your stone to Searia, Narla, for I fear that you have been brought hither for that reason alone. If indeed the magical gems lead to the great Alranyam, then it might lead you home as well. However, this is what I perceive, there is no certainty in my words I'm afraid."

Narla's mind almost blacked out at these words. She, on a dangerous journey to somewhere where Tolkien had never even bothered to map out? And to use her pendant to seek some legendary guy and how she had no idea of? In the end if she got lucky, she might get home, if not, she didn't even want to think about it...

As though he read her thoughts through her face, Legolas, feeling a bit of sympathy for the poor girl, voiced out,

"Have no fear, Lady Narla, for I, too, would be going to Searia. Perhaps Mirgom would like to join the company as well. You would be well guarded against peril. How now, say you of the journey?"

Seeming unsure by Legolas' words, Narla looked as the king and his eyes told her to trust them. With no other choice possible, Narla agreed to go to Searia and it was decided that they would leave in the third morning from that day.

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Narla really didn't want to leave Mirkwood so soon. For the next two days, Faryndiel showed her around inside the kingdom, and taught her many things, her survival tips being the most important. Faryndiel and Narla had begun to grow close, and Mirgom seemed to be friendlier to Narla than he initially did, whether it was due to pity that she would soon face a tough journey or that she seemed to be harmless she could not tell. Narla was glad of his friendship though, for she would at least have a friend to journey with her. The two messengers hardly spoke to Narla since he meeting, though they no longer scowled at her when she passed, but Legolas had spoken little to her and when he did, he spoke not more than he should with plain courtesy. Narla wondered if he still suspected her to be an enemy and laid no trust on her or he simply disliked her. Mirgom mentioned that his young master trusts none too easily. True to Legolas' prediction, Mirgom decided to follow them on their journey and from what Faryndiel told Narla, Mirgom was some sort of guardian to Legolas, for he had taken care of his young master since he was an infant. To Legolas Mirgom was more than a guardian; he was one of his closest friends, as was Gimli.

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The morning of their departure came, and Narla felt heavy at heart when she woke. She had grown to like Mirkwood and its people, but she was off to a voyage in which she may never come back. Not to mention it was a perilous voyage. As she got out of bed, she noticed that Faryndiel had prepared travel attire for her. At the end of her bed, a hip length vest and a pale long-sleeved undershirt laid. On top was a dark gray hooded cloak, which reached to Narla's knees. She took out her jeans and her shirt, now spotless after being washed by elven hands, from the cabinet in front of her bed. Faryndiel had probably guessed that Narla would be wearing her own belongings for the journey, thus no boots were prepared. Narla had gotten used to the cool weather in Mirkwood, thus she folded the undershirt neatly and placed it inside her belt bag. She put on her jeans and runners, and placed the dark green vest over her shirt, fastening it with a silver belt they had provided. She took off her watch and put on leather wristbands, for metal would drag her down. Narla tied her hair into a ponytail at the back of her head with the silver string she got the day before. She took one last look at her chamber after putting on her cloak and bag, and she left for the gate.

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The company was getting ready for departure before the gates of the kingdom. It was a misty morning, but no danger was nearby. The messengers, Irthal and Vortayn, no longer wore the silky elven robes but were each wearing a set of armor, and their faces were rugged with restlessness for they were anxious to go home with the third gem. Vortayn held a long scimitar and his backpack over his shoulder, while he looked out beyond the gates into the dark woods ahead. Irthal had her hair bound with a bandanna and she had two swords hanging from her waist at each side. She gave a smirk as she saw Narla approaching with her own 'attire'. Mirgom was tending to the horses, on which the messengers arrived by, but they would all be traveling on foot and the horses were piled with supplies required for the journey. For news had come from the elven scouts that the Hithered Weath had been blocked by landslides and was no longer accessible. Thus they would have to travel east through the river Esgaroth and the steep slopes of Iron Hills. The horses would be brought as far as they could go, but how far no one knew. Beside Mirgom stood a tall elf-warrior with proud features. He was clad in travel garments and it seemed that he would be joining the company. Legolas was nowhere to be seen, as of his father. Faryndiel held out a small sack out for Narla when she arrived and said sadly,

"Dear child, I do not wish to see you go, for you have grown in my heart, but since you would be leaving Mirkwood to journey far east, take this with you."

Narla took the sack and saw that Faryndiel had prepared more than she expected for her trip. Inside the sack, a light blanket lied under a thin towel. A small flask of water and some kindle to light fire with were put neatly beside a thin yet long rope. Narla smiled at Faryndiel gratefully and felt her heart ache for leaving this wonderful lady who had become her friend.

"Thank you for taking care of me, Lady Faryndiel, as well as for these necessities you prepared for me. I cannot seem to thank you enough, my good friend, and my heart burns to leave this fair place and its people. If everything goes accordingly, this may be the last time we meet. Here, take my watch, as a token of friendship from me."

Faryndiel was amazed at such a grand gift from Narla and listened in wonder at how the 'watch' worked. Narla put it on her wrist and Faryndiel smiled lovingly at her,

"I am grateful for such a splendid gift, Narla dear. Though our time together is short, it has been a pleasure to meet you. I shall miss you dearly. Be cautious and I wish you a safe journey, child. The King has come!"

True enough, everyone turned around to see the king and his son arriving at the gates. Narla caught a glimpse of Legolas' eyes on her before she turned to the king, who was walking towards her. The king held out an Elven knife, in which its sheath was attached to a belt of silver, to Narla.

"Narla Mayson, the journey to Searia may not be a safe one and since I have put you in this path, I find it my obligation to hand you a weapon for protection. Take this Gaildryn, Silver Blade of Mirkwood. And if you ever cross this land again, you are ever welcome to bring this and see me. May good fortune be with all of you!"

Narla thanked the king and marveled at the weapon gleaming in silver on her hands. There was much whispering around for the knife was one of the kingdom's ancient wonders and it had been given to a guest who was not even of this world!

As Legolas passed her, he said coolly, "You would have no use for Gaildryn but cut wood with it I suppose, for you have two of the best archers in Mirkwood and two great warriors in your company. It may not even need to be withdrawn from its sheath!"

Narla just stared at Legolas' back for a while and then fastened the belt over her waist, knife and all. She could not stand his boasting, yet she couldn't help but feel hope that she indeed didn't need to use the knife for violence after all. The other elf beside Mirgom looked on her coldly, almost with jealousy. All the same, she was glad to have a weapon at hand and feeling slightly relieved, Narla gathered up with her company outside the gates.

After saying farewell to the king of Northern Mirkwood, the company set out with a few Elves escorting them to the end of the woods. Waving farewell and thanks to the king and Faryndiel, Narla took a last look at the fair dwelling and felt sad when she thought she may not be able to see it ever again. Quickly, she turned away before she could run back and looked ahead where her companions were. Mirgom and the woman named Irthal were guiding two horses full of supplies in the lead, with the man called Vortayn behind. Legolas was behind him with the proud elf, deep in thought. Narla was surprised at how light her sack was and flung it over her shoulder as she walked.

Soon after crossing the tall dark woods, the escorting elves stopped as they had reached the border of Northern Territory. However, there was still a long way of forest ahead of them, and Narla could see in the distance, a tall, lonely mountain in front of them. That must be Erebor, the Lonely Mountain, where Gimli came from, thought Narla as she mentally drew the map from Tolkien's book. Little did Narla or the rest knew what perils lay ahead of them. And so the small party set off, away from fair Eryn Lasgalen and most of all, safety.