Chapter 3 Mirkwood

I looked timidly at the dark trees that surrounded me. They seemed to glare at me like they knew I wasn't welcome.

I also remembered Bilbo's story about the spiders and that didn't help.

Legolas pulled his bow so it was easy to get to and I saw glowing red eyes in the dark leaves. We rode up the path until I felt Legolas stiffened and looked up.

Slowly my eyes turned that way too. I stared horrified at the thing in the tree. Large with a black body a giant spider sat watching us. Legolas slowly reached for his bow and got a arrow.

Then the spider seemed to know what he was doing because it dashed to the end of the branch. Quicker that anything the arrow was lodged in the spiders body. It feel with a sickening thud.

"Let's go there may be more." The elf whispered. We rode until we got to a stream. The stream was unlike any I had seen, the water was black and looked evil. "Don't drink it." Legolas said softly. "It's magic."

We led the horse across a old bridge and then mounted again. Now as we rode we began to see some gates.

When we rode up I stared in wonder huge stone gates with amazing patterns rose above me The elf behind me called out something in elvish and with a dull grinding noise the gates opened.

The horse trotted in and I got my first look at Mirkwood. Tall wooden buildings towered above me and I stared at the huge marble castle rising above me.

I also noticed the elves, they were different than the elves I had seen in Rivendell the elves were dressed in woody colors like brown, green, and blacks.

The elves glared at me like I didn't belong here. I felt my ears redden and Legolas whispered "Do not look at them."

I ignored the elves until we reached the wooden stables. I got off the horse and walked slowly behind the tall elf before me.

I felt even smaller than usual. We got to the doors and the guards stopped us. "I'm Legolas." The prince raised his head proudly. "Who's he?" The guard said suspiciously. "This is Peregrin, son of Paladin. He has business with my father." Legolas said in a sharp tone. The guard gave me a look that made me want to sink into the earth.

"Fine go in." The guards opened the doors. Legolas nodded and walked through. I followed his lead but the guard tried to trip me.

Luckily I leaped over his foot. He glared at me as I hurried through. I found myself in a large hallway. The hall was made of marble and gleamed white. Large statues that looked like trees and other things stood tall and proud.

Legolas turned and saw me staring so he waited for me. I hurried and smiled "You grew up here?" I asked curious of the elf's past. "Yup. Spent almost three thousand years here." I whistled. That was a long time to live in one place. We walked through the white hall until we came to a large golden door.