Chapter Thirty-three: On to Mirkwood
Bella gently stroked the face of her new pony. Beorn was loaning seventeen of his ponies to them until they reached the edge of Mirkwood. He had also provided food meant to last them several weeks and some bows and arrows.
Oin had two satchels of healing supplies, including a couple pouches of athelas. Bilbo had several small pouches of herbs stowed in his bag, ready for whenever Bella needed them. Bella was pleased to discover her extra wrappings in her own bag though with Beorn's permission, she also raided his cloth supply.
It was because of this raid that, she settled on her Masterpiece for Fili. A vest of Durin blue, topstitched and embroidered with silver-tone, Durin blue, and medium blue thread. All the supplies she needed, she bartered from Beorn, making another apple pie, a batch of cinnamon-raisin bread, a loaf of apple bread, and a host of blueberry tartlets. At first, Bella didn't think it was a good trade, considering she was using Beorn's own food supply. But Beorn pointed out that he didn't have the recipes and skills she had to make these foods. So, Bella also wrote out the recipes so that if Beorn wished, he could potentially make himself more.
In the midst of her baking, she managed to snag Fili for some hurried measurements. She ensured his lack of questions by promising his own personal apple pie later. Masterpieces didn't have to remain secret really, but it's like giving gifts on birthdays. Bella relished the expression of surprise when her friends received a gift she had specially made or chosen for them.
Between pulling the last of the baked goods out of the oven and supper, Bella cut and stitched Fili's vest. She then took white chalk and sketched the pattern for edelweiss, Fili's sigil, and Durin's sign (obtained from Balin) where she intended to stitch. It would take some time, especially if Mirkwood was truly as dangerous as they heard. So, her Masterpiece was stowed safely in her bag, and she would work on it when she could.
"How are you fairing, Melethen?" Fili asked quietly.
"Just thinking how I'm going to miss this place," she answered. "While not Rivendell, it was still quite peaceful."
"No pain at all?"
Her eyebrows shot up as she caught the drift of what he was asking her. How had he guessed? "While I expect some pain within the next week, it hasn't come yet," she said in a low voice. "Dare I ask why you would ask?"
Fili shrugged, as casual as one pleased. "I noticed that Ama experienced the curse every four weeks or so. I guessed that would be the same for hobbit lasses."
She smiled as she partially leaned her side against her pony. "Are you usually so comfortable about this or am I just lucky?"
Her fangon just smiled as he shrugged again. "It's no different than a hunt, and neither my adad or Thorin acted as though it was something to be uncomfortable about." He considered a moment. "Unless it was judging Ama's mood. That they were extremely careful about."
"Most lads comparable to your age act as though they'll become infected with it or something," Bella said. "I actually found a quick way to get rid of them was launder my wrappings and hang them to dry."
Fili chuckled with her. "While it may take dire circumstances for me to wash them for you, I would go and buy you more if they were needed."
Bella blushed. "Now that I'd dare say that even Bilbo would be uncomfortable doing."
"That's because I would just steel myself and wash them behind closed doors," Bilbo answered quietly. "And before you ask, I just heard the last little bit as I came up." He slipped something in her pocket. "Are the two of you ready? I think that Thorin is anxious to get going."
"I am," Bella answered.
"As am I," Fili said.
"Good. Well, best mount up then." With that Bilbo was off to his own pony.
Bella inwardly wondered what her brother was up to. After she mounted her pony with a boost from Fili, she subtly checked her pocket. A tiny sachet of painkillers. She mentally shook her head. Those boys. She'd probably end up starting her curse simply by the force of their worry.
"Gandalf!" Thorin called.
She turned a little to see Gandalf speaking with Beorn in low voices. "I wonder what they're talking about."
"Most likely nothing that Gandalf wants us to worry about," Fili said. But tinges of fear and worry clouded his eyes.
"Do you know something about it?" Bella asked.
Fili hesitated. "It's possible," he admitted. "But it's something that Gandalf didn't want me to worry or linger on, especially with Smaug promising us enough trouble. And he especially doesn't want to worry you or Bilbo, so, please, don't press me for more."
Bella released a breath. To a degree, secrets were a necessary evil in any relationship. From innocent gift secrets to for one's protection secrets. "So long as you promise to tell me if or when it starts to directly affect us or our families."
"I promise," Fili answered.
"How would you say it in Khuzdul?" Bella asked. He still looked so worried. She had to try to distract him.
Though she caught him by surprise, he answered readily enough before asking for the Sindarin. Unfortunately this lasted only a minute or so as once Gandalf joined them, he and Thorin set a rapid pace.
This turned into two days and nights of riding. Any sleeping was done in the saddle when they allowed the ponies to walk. Very little conversation was offered, and Bella couldn't help but notice that her brother was especially on edge, his fingers regularly slipping into the right pocket of his waistcoat. Always the right pocket, never the left.
Finally on the dawn of the third day, they drew up to a sickly forest. Any leaves on the bare branches were pale or brown. Every tree looked near death. The only branches that didn't look sickly were from four trees that formed an entry of some sort. But upon approaching, Bella realized they weren't branches at all. They were instead some smooth wood or clay, fashioned to resemble antlers surrounding a small pedestal.
"The Elven Gate," Gandalf said as they finally drew to a halt. "Here lies our path through Mirkwood."
"No sign of the orcs," Dwalin said. "We have luck on our side."
As Bella dismounted she saw Gandalf looking off into the distance behind them.
"Beorn's been following us," Bilbo said quietly. "No doubt to make sure we keep our word to release the ponies."
"I must admit that I'll be sorry to see them go," Kili said, stroking the noble face of his pony.
"Set the ponies loose," Gandalf ordered, stepping beneath the trees. "Let them return to their master."
Bella set about unpacking her pony. "You did a wonderful job, beauty," she said, placing a kiss behind its ear. "I'm sorry we had to push you so hard."
"This forest feels sick," Bilbo said, advancing toward the trees. "As though some disease lies upon it. Is there no way around?" he asked Gandalf.
"Not unless we go two hundred miles north," the wizard answered, "or twice that distance . . . south."
Bella looked after the wizard. He sounded distracted just now. What was wrong? Did he see something?
"Is being odd just a wizard thing?" Kili asked.
"It's possible he has more than just this quest on his mind, Kee," Fili said.
"Like what?" Kili asked.
"Things that he apparently thinks we shouldn't be worrying about since he hasn't told us," Fili answered.
"Like what you have mentioned before, Fangon-nen?" Bella asked in Sindarin.
"Yes."
"I shall say no more on it," Bella said.
Kili scowled. "I hate it when the two of you do that. I barely know enough to potentially use in a battle situation."
"There are reasons, Kili," Fili said. "We don't want you to know about it, much like if there was something I didn't want Bella or Bilbo to know, I would speak to you in Khuzdul since they are still learning."
"You'll have to change tactics there, Amralime," Bella said, purposefully using the Khuzdul endearment.
"Yes, I'll have to keep that in mind in the future," Fili said with a smile.
Bella turned when she noticed Bilbo jerk. "Are you alright, Bilbo?" she asked.
"Hm?" He turned to her. "Oh, yes, yes. I'm-I'm fine. Fine."
Her eyes narrowed.
He gave her a smile that remained only on his lips. "I'm fine, Bella. Nothing happened."
She stepped closer before speaking in low Sindarin, "You've acted odd off and on ever since the Goblin Tunnels. What is it?"
"It's nothing that you have to worry about," he answered in kind.
"Then why don't you tell me? You've never hidden stuff like this from me before," Bella said. "Whenever you hide things from me without good cause, I start to worry about you."
Bilbo sighed. "I'll tell you if we have a moment while traveling through Mirkwood, if not then, once we're on the other side. Deal?"
"Deal," she said.
"Not my horse!" Gandalf called, striding back into the open. "I need it."
Bella jumped, some dread settling in the pit of her stomach. Gandalf still needed his horse? But that meant . . .
"You're not leaving us?" Bilbo asked, giving voice to Bella's fear.
"I would not do this unless I had to," Gandalf said, pausing beside them. He looked at them, as though measuring. "You have changed Bilbo and Bella Baggins. You're not the same hobbits as who left the Shire." There was both a twinkle there and a glint of worry.
Bella reflected. She had changed and grown. She now knew what it was to love and be loved unconditionally in a romantic way. She had slain monsters, accepting that it was a necessary evil, even if she would never boast about those kills. She made a baker's dozen of dwarves listen and heed her words. Her wanderlust was calming. She could feel her heart and mind just starting to look toward home. It wasn't enough to make her feel homesick; just enough that she could acknowledge that she would be happy to be back home again once their quest was complete.
"I was going to tell you," Bilbo said, hesitantly. "I . . . found something in the Goblin Tunnels."
Bella momentarily felt hurt that Bilbo seemed ready to share with Gandalf what he wouldn't share with her. But then, this was Gandalf. Just his mere scowl should be enough to make orcs fall to their knees confessing all their wrongs and begging for mercy. Fauntlings and tweens alike regularly fessed up to their mischief making by the rise of one shaggy eyebrow. Of course, hobbits like the two of them would wish to unburden themselves to the wizard.
"Found what?" Gandalf asked, leaning closer. "What did you find?"
Bilbo fumbled his fingers in his right pocket. He shuffled his feet, quite unlike a respectable Baggins. "My courage," he half-whispered, pulling his hand from his pocket. But there was a nearly imperceptible tremor, a lack of conviction that convinced Bella that her brother wasn't telling the truth. Or at least not all of it.
Gandalf seemed to suspect something was a bit off as well. "Good," the wizard said, straightening. "Good. Well that's good. You'll need it."
Bella scowled. "You doubly owe me an explanation, Bilbo Baggins," she whispered fiercely in his ear.
Bilbo's eyes widened fractionally before he quickly nodded.
"I'll be waiting for you at the overlook, before the slopes of Erebor," Gandalf said to the Company as he approached his horse. "Keep the map and key safe." He leveled a hard look on Thorin. "Do not enter that mountain without me."
A rain started down over them despite the still present sunshine. Bella fought a shiver as the forest behind her creaked and groaned. She was not looking forward to entering that wood. There was a darkness, a disease beneath those boughs. She did not wish to go near it. But there was no other choice.
"This is not the Greenwood of old," Gandalf warned as he mounted up. "The very air of the forest is heavy with illusion. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray."
"What sort of sorcery is that, Gandalf?" Bella asked, quickly stepping forward. "Not elvish surely!"
"No, not elvish," Gandalf answered. "It is more likely the devilry of the Necromancer, twisting the woods and the original elvish protection spells to his own dark purposes. Even without that devilry, anyone who left the path would most assuredly be lost forever."
"Then why can't you guide us through?" Bella asked. "If it is potentially as hopeless as all that."
For a brief moment, Gandalf's ire came to the forefront. His eyes flashed and the hold on his gnarled staff tightened.
Bella shrank back a step, even as she felt Fili stand behind her.
Then Gandalf took a deep breath, held it, then released, as though he was blowing all his anger and frustration away. "I cannot tell you everything at this time, Bella," he said. "But it was never my destiny to follow through the entirety of this journey. This is your quest, Thorin's quest. This quest belongs to every member of this Company. I was just sent to nudge you all in the right direction." He smiled gently at her, like a proud grandfather.
"And now, my destiny lies elsewhere," he continued. "It may be a matter of no consequence, and upon my return we can laugh at the rabbit hole I tumbled through. Or it may very well determine the future of all Middle Earth as we know it. But I will not know until I go on my own journey."
"The Necromancer?" Fili asked. "Are you investigating him for your White Council?"
Gandalf's eyes held a weak twinkle. "I can neither confirm nor deny that assumption, Master Fili. Maybe I am. Or I may be off to find a dragon taming potion. You cannot know until I return."
"If it is for the dragon," Kili said, "make sure you aren't late again."
"Late?" Gandalf demanded.
"You were late in the Misty Mountains," Kili answered, though his eyes twinkled.
"Hmph! A wizard is never late, Master Kili," Gandalf returned. "Nor is he early. He only arrives precisely when he means to."
"Considering the invasion of Bag End, I may always question that," Bella retorted with a smile.
Gandalf chuckled, shaking his head. "Be sure to keep your spirits up in the forest. It will make the darkness a little less grim. And no matter what, you must stay on the path, do not leave it. Under ordinary circumstances the chances are a thousand to one of you ever finding it again."
"We'll stay on the path," Thorin half-growled. "Just begone with you if you insist on leaving. Begone and Mahal bless your endeavors."
Similar sentiments were echoed by the other dwarves. Yet Bella noticed that despite the harshness of some of them, there was no real heat. Just a bit of bluster to hide the fact that they were already missing the wizard.
"Goodbye all," Gandalf returned with a raised hand. "Eru and all the Valar guide and keep you." As he galloped off, he called out, "No matter what: Stay on the path!"
Fili shook his head. "Always has to get the last word, doesn't he?"
Bella shrugged. "He's a wizard. What else can you expect?"
"Make sure all packs are distributed evenly according to the owner's ability," Thorin ordered.
Fili and Kili immediately took over Bella's and Bilbo's packs. Bella had already removed a couple of her extra clothes at Beorn's acknowledging that an extra petticoat, skirts, blouses, and vests were taking away space where food could be stored. Hers and Bilbo's new winter things had been bundled into a waterproof bag, ready to be retrieved at the first sign of winter conditions. Bella was grateful that she had thought to put Fili's gift in progress into a protective pouch.
Fili raised an eyebrow at it, but then tucked it back in near her extra wrappings that lay atop her single change of clothes. (She would rather not remain in hiding next washday, thank you.) He then packed in a fair collection of food items before tying it off and helping Bella settle it comfortably on her back.
Kili finished up Bilbo's pack before helping the hobbit slip it on. Then the two brothers quickly and efficiently repacked their bags. As they were finishing and each member received two water skins, Thorin called, "Come on. We need to get moving. We must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin's Day. This is our one chance to find the hidden door."
Bella fell in line with Fili leading, Bilbo directly behind her, and Kili behind him. She vaguely scowled as her feet touched the infected soil of the forest. It felt as though a physical shadow was draping itself over them as they started on the elven path. She silently prayed, Oh, Eru, help us, guide us, and protect us as we travel through this Darkness.
Author's Note: Late again. I am so sorry. Between my brain and the craziness of work or Christmas things, it kept slipping my mind. But here we are.
The Company was actually stuck here for awhile before I finally started bringing them through Mirkwood. But thankfully, I managed to get them just a little beyond the ending of Desolation of Smaug. But not worrying about that part now.
I used a mixture of the book and film. Honestly, when I read the book, I don't see the hypnotic/illusionary danger that the films portrayed. And admittedly, I hadn't yet decided if I would actually do that like some others had or if I would stick more with the book. Thus why I allow the potential of some Darkness or the Necromancer to have corrupted the ancient elvish protections. You'll see what I decided next chapter.
So, any theories as to what will happen in Mirkwood? Shall trouble visit them at an enchanted river? What about some A.O.U.S.s? (This is actually a quick fun reference, modified. Can you guess? Let me know in a quick review. ;-)) Will they go unnoticed by the elves of Mirkwood? Some of these answers will be answered next time. Others after. Plenty of time for you to give me your thoughts and theories. Pretty please? :-D
Anyway. Until next time, or in response to a review.