Yet another short chapter...oh well...the chapters get longer after chapter 8. Don't forget to review! Reviews are magical!

The company wandered through the woods aimlessly for the next few days. It seemed like forever until they finally found the path again. Lulyn knew the company would never get out of Mirkwood this way, so she made a decision. "Thorin, we need the ponies." She said. "They know how to navigate this place much better than we do."

"We don't have the ponies. It was your plan to let them go around Mirkwood, remember?" Thorin said.

Lulyn sighed and let out a sharp whistle. Soon, Kor came flying in, with Brisa and the other ponies not far behind. Thorin gave Lulyn a quick smile before he mounted up. Lulyn rubbed Brisa's nose before mounting up and whispering little praises to her. Kor also wanted attention, so he squawked, waiting to get his love. Lulyn smiled and stroked his soft feathers before the company trotted off through Mirkwood, letting the ponies show them the way out.

They made it out of Mirkwood by nightfall and they set up camp just outside the forest. They made some soup for supper, like they had for the past few days. Lulyn took the time to make some bread, which wasn't done until after everyone had finished dinner. She cut it and gave it to the company.

That night, Lulyn lay awake, staring at the sky. A nearby Orc screech caught her attention. She sat up quickly, along. with Thorin, who sat up even faster, if possible. "Wake up. Wake up, all of you. Orcs!" He hissed. In an instant, the company were on their feet, weapons ready. Then, from over a hill, several orcs came at full speed toward the company. Lulyn drew back her bowstring and began shooting down orcs. Kili was doing the same until they got too close, then he drew his sword. Lulyn drew hers, but was knocked back by an Orc. It stood over her, gazing at her with what seemed like hunger...no, thirst. Bloodthirst. The Orc took a jagged knife and held it to Lulyn's neck. She reached for her sword, which was just out of reach. "Not one move, she-dwarf. It'll be your last." The Orc croaked. He said 'she-dwarf' with much distaste. Lulyn slowly moved her hand to her side while the Orc stared at her necklace, almost mesmerized by it. She drew a dagger from her belt and quickly thrust it through the orc's chest. The Orc fell limp off her as she drew the dagger from its chest and put it back in it's scabbard. She lay there panting for a moment. When she realized the battle raging around her, she got up and joined the battle. Grabbing her sword, she charged into the fray. Most of the orcs lunged for her neck, as if the necklace drew them in or something. Three were ganging up on her, driving her backward towards Mirkwood. She was up against a tree and an Orc grabbed for her neck when he was shot down by Kili. Lulyn gave him a grateful smile and a nod and quickly killed the other two orcs. The company killed the rest of the orcs and packed up. They had agreed to go ahead and get an early start, they didn't think they could get back to sleep after that run in with the orcs. As they continued, Lulyn was deep in thought, not paying attention to what was going on around her.

"You alright there, lass?" Balin asked at dawn, when her expression was noticeable.

"I don't know. I guess the Orc attack was just a bit unsettling." Lulyn sighed.

"Are you sure?" Bofur jumped in.

Lulyn nodded, but she kept her head down, staring at Brisa's withers. "Well..." She began. "Those orcs seemed like they wanted something from me. They kept going for my neck...like my necklace attracted them or something." Lulyn fingered with her necklace—a nervous habit–and fell back into her thoughts.

"Would you mind if I had a look at your necklace?" Balin asked.

Lulyn nodded hesitantly, and unhooked the necklace, handing it to Balin. He inspected it for a long time, then handed it back. "Do you know the story behind that necklace?" He asked.

"Well, yes. But I was never told the end."

Balin nodded. "It is indeed not a pleasant one. As you know, a dwarf—one of your distant relations—stole that stone from the orcs." He said, gesturing toward the necklace and Lulyn clipped it back around her neck. "The orcs, in their rage, vowed to end his line, no matter how many generations it would take. That stone there attracts orcs, and once they find you, they have specific orders from their leader to kill you." Balin said.

Lulyn went pale. She swallowed hard and fingered the necklace. "My necklace...the last reminder of my family...attracts orcs?"

Balin nodded. "It's probably best destroyed, lassie."

Lulyn's eyes filled with tears, she tried to blink them away. She nodded, but stayed silent for the rest of that day, deep in thought.