When morning came, the dwarves distributed the packages as evenly as possible. Éla noticed the hobbit sitting on the ground looking very unhappy. She approached him with his baggage.
"Is everything alright?" She asked, handing him his load.
Bilbo stood as the female helped strap the bags on his shoulders. "It's very dark in there."
The maiden cocked her head to the side questionably.
"I went into the forest after breakfast and I don't like it."
Éla patted him on the arm in comfort. "We must go through unfortunately, just stay close to me."
Truthfully speaking, she was a bit skeptical as well. The entrance was a gloomy arch, ready to swallow anything and everything within its dark tunnel. Thorin passed them, glancing at Éla in the process. He took his place at the forest-gate.
"Stay close to each other. This is no place for games." He eyed his nephews before turning around and starting their journey through the narrow path.
The passageway was only wide enough for single file. Éla followed the hobbit with Bofur bringing up the rear. Eyes soon adjusted to the dimness as the light quickly diminished, lost among the intertwining branches and black leaves above. A green glimmer glowed over the tangled trunks and undergrowth, providing some form of visibility for the company. Éla watched Bilbo's head continuous strain towards the strange sounds coming from under the thick pile of leaves on the forest ground. The worst were the cobwebs: thick, dense threads stretching from branches over trees. Éla didn't like them.
Out of the blue, something scurried off under her boots. She lost her footing from the sudden movement. Trying not to step on the black critter, Éla fell over into a nasty bush. Something cool and sticky clung to her sleeve as she made an effort to get up. Bilbo turned around upon hearing the ruffling.
"Umm, I think I'm stuck." Éla said in a hint of panic.
Fili and Kili heard the fuss as well before turning themselves.
"Hold up!" Bofur hollered to the front.
The dwarves stopped to see what the problem was. Bofur took hold of Éla's free arm and pulled her to her feet, dragging part of the bush with them.
"Here, allow me." Fili came with one of his knives and jabbed at the webs to free their companion.
"What's that?" The female dwarf pointed between Kili and Nori's feet as a black creature darted between them.
"I think that was a squirrel." Bilbo said. His eyes were the sharpest.
Kili quickly readied his bow, but Thorin stopped him.
"No. We will not be wasting arrows on that. Let's move on."
Éla brushed any remaining pieces of the cobwebs from her arm, but the sticky substance would not part from her clothing. Thorin glimpsed back at her before moving forward. What she would have given for the feel of a fresh breeze on her face right then. The darkness was both a curse and a blessing. She failed to keep her promise after only being on the trail for a few hours. Then again, he never mentioned any accidental mishaps coming from her. The air was already thick and stiff and it didn't take much before they all began longing for a glimpse of sunlight and fresh smells. A dwarf who could go days without ever seeing the sun, held no meaning here.
No one admitted it, but they were all on edge.
That night after a small meal, they tried lighting a watch fire. The forest grew very dark, almost to the point where you could not see your hand in front of your face. Éla's eyes were adjusted enough to see everyone's silhouettes, but it was still risky walking around.
Gloin and Nori finally got a large fire going. It brought some temporary relief before the small clearing was rapidly engulfed by big, dark moths. Éla ducked to the ground.
"Put it out!" Thorin yelled.
They gave up on the fires and so they sat in the darkness, huddled together. Bofur was given first watch, followed by Bilbo then Éla. When it was the maiden's turn, she awoke on her own. She grabbed her weapon and quietly made her way through the maze of feet and stumps.
"Bilbo?" She whispered into the dark.
"Over here." He responded.
The dwarf felt her way through the air in front until she vaguely saw the hobbit's shadowed figure a few feet away.
"I'll take over now."
The hobbit was silent for a moment. "I think I still have an hour or so left."
"That's fine, I don't mind." She gently grabbed him by the shoulder and leaded him off towards the sleeping bodies.
"I owe you." He whispered back, glad that he didn't have to look at the numerous pairs of eyes watching him anymore. What little comfort that gave, the poor hobbit still had trouble falling asleep.
The female dwarf situated herself on the trunk Bilbo was on, leaning back against the tree. Her dagger was held close to her body.
Hours passed and at some points Éla thought she dozed off. Small gleams disappeared and shined back into view around them. She hadn't noticed them earlier but the beady lights sent her body into high alert. Éla wondered if she was dreaming again, for she heard faint rhymes in the distance. She shook her head and unsheathed her dagger. A finger traced its sharp edge. It was still too dark for her to even see it resting on her lap. As she turned the blade face up, she caught a pair of large, yellow eyes reflecting off the metal. Éla promptly looked up only to stare into shadows.
You're seeing things, Éla. She said to herself. There was nothing there. The dwarf concluded that it was a trick of the mind. Closing her eyes fleetingly did nothing to ease the fretfulness that buried itself deep within her chest. In the pitch black, she could still make out the irregular pairs of eyes watching, and waiting. The foreign syllables continuously faded in and out, lulling her into a dream-like state.
Darkness and shadows overcame the maiden. Blinking, she strived to differentiate between reality and her dreams. The current environment was no different than the clearing the company slept. The green glimmers of the trees slowly returned, but it remained a soft glow. Whispers grew louder; something was attempting to gain her attention. Éla looked over to the pile of sleeping dwarves. No one was near her, from what she could see. That did not stop the humming in her ears.
Her mind fell calm as she stood. Éla casually walked to the edge of the clearing before stopping and staring into the black void within the intertwining trees. A tiny light flickered on to her right, but she paid no attention. Lifting one heavy boot, the maiden stepped over the boundary of the path and the forest itself. Her body ceased to move as her feet were glued to the forest floor. Éla only looked forward intently, unmoving.
Someone called out to her, but the humming drowned out any noise. It soon changed to song as she slowly peered over her shoulder. The tiny light grew until it was inches away from her face. The maiden couldn't make out what it was; only that it was bright and she didn't like it. Her heart slowed and she turned away, looking up.
The light seemed to have followed her gaze, for a piercing yell had erupted through the silence.
Fili held a small torch. He had awoken after hearing hustling in the trees and someone's steps crunching through dried leaves. The young dwarf had expected to find a small animal rustling by, not their night watcher stepping over the edge of the forest. He had called out to Éla but she did not respond.
When the maiden turned around, she was expressionless except for her dilated pupils. Panic struck the prince after she slowly turned away and looked up into the branches. He followed with the light, and froze stone cold like a statue.
"Thorin!"
A long, hairy leg extended itself from a bough towards Éla. Fili grabbed her arm and pulled her back. The dwarves jumped to their feet, adjusting to the dim glow that now surrounded them. They rushed over, weapons ready.
"What happened?" Thorin asked.
Fili pointed to the trees above. "Something was up there. It tried to get Éla."
Kili held his bow at the ready, eying the trees with Bilbo.
"Insects." The hobbit said uneasily. He could still see beaming eyes in the far distance. "I think they're spiders."
Oin grabbed the torch Fili held and brought it closer to the maiden held loosely in his arms. The older dwarf waved a hand in front of her face. The light seemed to affect her, for she scrambled to her feet, not wanting to be near it.
"Éla." Thorin called her name before moving closer.
"Wait." Balin warned. "I don't think she's awake."
He pointed to the dagger held firmly in her grasp.
"Is she sleep-walking?" Fili asked.
The maiden remained immobile a moment longer before taking a step back towards the forest. Fili went to get up after her with Oin, but Thorin stopped them.
"No."
He cautiously matched her pace until she stopped at the edge of the path. The others watched, not moving from their spot. Her body swayed as she held her free hand to her temple. Thorin lightly grabbed her wrist that held the weapon. The touch caused Éla to slump to the ground but not before Thorin caught her limp body.
She was laid down as the dwarves formed a circle around them. Balin and Oin hovered over her with worry.
Balin checked her pulse. "What was she doing?"
"She took over my watch." Bilbo said nervously.
Thorin grew angry. "How does one fall asleep while on watch?!"
"Is she bewitched?" Oin asked.
Everyone froze stiff. They were in an enchanted forest after all.
"No, I don't think so." Balin explained. Just then Éla jumped awake, almost butting heads with the dwarf from the sudden move. "Well, there's our answer."
Éla breathed heavily, her body beginning to shake. "What happened?"
"You tell us." Thorin said bitterly. "You were supposed to be on watch and nearly put yourself in danger."
She thought for a moment, allowing herself to calm down. "I'm not really sure. One moment I saw several pairs of eyes then the next, I was following a song or rhyme, you could say. I couldn't make out any words or phrases, though."
Recalling those sounds made her shudder.
"Be more careful next time, lass. Let's hope it doesn't happen again." Balin said, helping her to her feet.
"I really am sorry." She replied.
They ate very little that morning. As the dwarves cleaned up and readied themselves for another day of travelling, Thorin pulled Éla to the side.
"What was that?" He asked quietly.
"What was what, exactly?"
Thorin huffed. "From this morning. Sleep-walking? You seem to be hiding a great deal of secrecy about you."
She was appalled. "I have no secrets that require telling. You cannot hold me responsible for unknown creatures in this forest wanting to come near our camp at night."
"Then why do you shake in your sleep? You fear something, if I'm not mistaken."
"I'm not a child, Thorin. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself!" She hissed.
The dwarf stifled a devilish laugh. "Capable?! You were ready to leave the path, and not on your own free will. If that happened, no one would go after you. You would be on own." No sooner had the words escaped his lips, did he curse himself for feeling a small bit of remorse by the shock plastered on her face.
"If we're done here, I would like my dagger back, please." Éla held out a hand.
Thorin relieved their locked gaze once he pulled out the weapon from his belt and dropped it in the outstretched hand.
"Thank you." The maiden stormed off to collect her things.
Bilbo watched while he waited next to Balin. The two exchanged looks.
"Everything alright?" The hobbit asked once Éla joined them.
"Yes, just peachy."
Bilbo thought it best not to say any more.
The growing silence between Éla and their leader continued for a couple more days. She refused to say a word. Part of her wanted to make amends from their bitter conversation, but something held her back. She didn't want to be near him, close to him. That was proving harder with every passing night.
The maiden was not put on watch and was almost always sandwiched between two people at night. Sleep became more difficult with each day. Food supplies began to run thin, water even lower.
The dreams were what scared her the most.
Beady eyes continued to follow them, but Éla did not have another terrifying episode. Most of the nights were spent laying awake and keeping her eyes focused on the body in front of her. Even that didn't alleviate the concern of shuffling in the leaves above.
The fourth morning the company came across a flowing, gloomy river. Their travels came to a sudden halt as there wasn't any visible way across.
"Well this is just great." Éla sulked.
Bilbo leaned as he searched the far side. "There's a boat on the far bank!"
"How far?" Thorin asked.
"Twelve yards I think."
Some of the dwarves were dubious.
"I would have thought closer to thirty, but my eyes aren't as sharp as they use to be." Thorin was doubtful.
Bilbo squinted back to the boat. "I don't think it's tied."
"All we need is a rope and a thrower." Éla noted.
Thorin motioned for Fili to come forward. "Can you see the boat Bilbo is talking about?"
The young dwarf squinted. "I think so."
A rope was found and given to Fili. His first attempt was in vain, but the hook managed to latch onto the boat the second time. The boat was tied to the other side, but Kili, Oin and Gloin came to his aid and freed it entirely. Once secure on their end, Fili tied another hook and rope to that side of the forest so the boat could be pulled back and forth.
"Bilbo, Fili and Balin, you will come with me first. Kili, Oin, Gloin and Dori will follow then Ori, Nori, Bifur and Bofur." Thorin looked at Éla. "Dwalin, Bombur and Élarinya will go last."
Bombur grumbled. "I don't like always being last."
"Then you should not be so fat!" Thorin spurred. "You need to travel with the lightest load."
No one could argue the truth. Éla felt it best not to test their leader's patience with words of her own. She did notice his use of her full name, however. He was most likely still in a bad mood himself.
Everyone's boatload made it across the enchanted river safely. Dwalin helped Éla out as he coiled the rope on his arm. The mysteries of the forest vanquished that security when a fast approaching deer charged them. Éla was knocked over into Thorin, who steadied their footing. It flew through the dwarves then leapt across to the side. Wasting no time, the leader raised his bow and shot an arrow across. They had no time to see if the animal fell, for a splash caught their attention.
Bombur's body bobbed in the water. They threw a rope and pulled hard when Bombur's hand caught hold of the hook. Once the massive dwarf was safely on the shore, he was already asleep, dreaming with a big smile grazing his face.
Élas heart sank at the soaked sight.
No sooner did they hear a horn sound off in the distance and the barking of dogs. They remained still until the hunting noises faded. Éla peered through trees and foliage to notice glimmering white deer.
"They're beautiful..." She said quietly, not moving so as not to scare them off.
Suddenly, the deer pranced away as arrows were unleashed on the path ahead.
"What are you doing?!" The maiden panicked as the dwarves shot the last of their arrows from Beorn.
"Stop! STOP!" Thorin shouted, but it was too late.
Even Kili's superb marksmanship could not land a hit on its target. The excitement quickly died down as four people were needed to carry the sleeping Bombur. Their packs were divided among the rest before they continued on the path some ways and stopping for the night.
Éla found herself resting between Dwalin and Thorin's empty bed roll to her back. There was a bit more space between the members, but they still remained huddled together. The forest was just as black on that side of the enchanted river as it was before, but the maiden was able to rest trouble-free from watchful eyes. She allowed her mind to focus on the white deer. It was the only source of light and peace they saw of all the days currently spent in the endless woods. The image remained clear in her mind until shuffling was heard from behind.
Her heart skipped a beat as she listened. For a second, she was ready to reach for her dagger, but stopped. A body lay next to her as Dwalin suddenly got up for his turn at watch. The move startled her, so she covered her mouth. That's what happened when one became lost in thought.
"Éla?"
A whisper broke the silence. The maiden did not want to answer, but she knew they had to stop acting like children and holding grudges for no good reason. She turned on her back.
"What is it Thorin? I'm trying to sleep." So much for acting mature...She heard him chuckle. If he was laughing at her, she would be sure to let him taste her annoyance physically.
"My words had ill meaning and it was not intentional. What happened that morning startled us all. I was being unjust."
Éla stiffened but relaxed her muscles. Was he apologizing?
He waited, unspoken. "Forgive me."
Her heart fluttered. "I felt like I was in a dream." This definitely feels like a dream.
The maiden turned away, not realizing why she blurted that out. Maybe she was losing her mind after all. She nearly jumped out of her skin as an arm snaked its way over her waist and pulled her close.
"As long as you don't wander off again."
Éla was tempted to ask something she probably shouldn't. Then again, she was a dwarf with high levels of expectations and no short of stubbornness.
"Would you have followed after me if the others were too late?"
Thorin said nothing. She hadn't expected him to. He only tightened his hold around ever so slightly. Éla was glad the air had reconciled between them, but the sudden actions of their leader were becoming more questionable day by day.
The warmth of his body was comforting, yet alarming...again. Lack of sleep finally caught up to the maiden, and so she let her eyes fall while focusing on the white deer and strong arm embracing her.
I hope you're all enjoying the story so far. (I guess the amount of views is a good indication next to reviews, favs and watches. Hehe) Who am I kidding?! That won't stop the uploads! :)
1) As I mentioned before, the rating may change to M, but not likely. (It probably should've been based on the broken ribs scene in Beorn's home from Ch5. That was pretty graphic...)
2) Hair braids will be further explained much later on. (Probably after several chapters)
3) More information about Éla's dad will also be explained, which will be a triggering factor between her and Thorin. (I'm not saying it'll be for better or worse.) Hint: it's not in Chapter 9.
Off to bed so I'm functional for work. Here's hoping for a special chapter come Feb. 14th!