Chapter Two

Mirkwood Here I Come!

"You aren't seriously going to Mirkwood are you? It's at least a weeks ride on the swiftest horse!"

"Madrial wanted me to go and find him, so I must." She answered simply. "Anyway, I can never be truly happy until I find out who he is." With that, she slung the saddlebags over Brand's back, grabbed her knapsack, slung it over her shoulder, and gave Billie a farewell kiss. He helped her into the saddle and she rode off towards the North.

"Quel marth (*good luck*)." He muttered under his breath as he watched her figure ride off towards Mirkwood.

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A week or so later

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'There it is… Mirkwood.' Elente thought.

"You've come a long way stranger. Unless you want that journey to have been in vain, get off the horse." A sentinel shouted from one of the trees above Elente. "Stay where you are and state your business in Mirkwood."

"I come seeking my past nothing more."

"What would your past have to do with this forest girl?"

"It is my business not yours, and anyway, if you are so desperate to learn the business of commoners, why don't you try the village in the Thieves' Forest, you're sure to learn a few things there." She spat at the sentinel.

"Anything that might endanger the king is my business girl."

"Oh, I see, you thought that I, a young starved milkmaid, could endanger a king's life. Your wits must have left you sometime in the Third Age! All I want is to find the answer to a few of my questions, some food and drink, and a place to sleep. I have no elaborate plan to murder the king while he sleeps! I'm a peasant, we have no time to spare on things such as that!" With that, she climbed back on Brand and was about to enter the forest when a gigantic spider crossed the path a few yards down the road. "On the other hand, it would be nice if you could take me there…"