Okay here is the next instalment to my story! I'm so glad people are following and favouriting (is that even a word?) it! Makes me feel happy! Well we're heading into Mirkwood! (YAY) this should (hopefully) expand over four chapters maybe five or three...just depends! So please read and review!

Mysteries in Mirkwood

"Three days! We've been walking through this bloody forest for three days!"

Lark growled under her breath. Gloin wasn't the only one who was beginning to hate Mirkwood. The air was stale, the forest; rotten, eyes watched from every angle. Lark was on edge, the sooner they found the enchanted stream, the better. Kili saw Lark's shoulder tense at every sound and movement. The gloom of the forest was unnerving and it upset him to see her so worried. Picking up his pace, he walked alongside her.

"You ok?"

Her blue gaze fell on him. He was thankful for the gloom as it hid his flushed cheeks. Even in her worst states, she mesmerized him.

"Yeah, just anxious to get outta here as soon as..."

She sighed and Kili slipped his hand into hers and gave it a squeeze. Lark was thankful of his reassurance...Kili always found a way to calm her down. As he held her hand, she forgot the millions of eyes watching them and relished his touch. They walked, hand-in-hand until a faint light could be seen and the sound of water could be heard. Lark released Kili's hand before shifting. Now a fox, she sniffed the water and turned to Thorin.

"It smells foul and unatural, definetely the enchanted river. We must be EXTRA careful!"

He nodded at her and Lark shifted into a sparrow and flew to the other side. Spotting the moored boat, she went over to it. She cut the rope before shoving it towards the dwarves. They pulled against the shore and the first load boarded the vessel. Lark watched the boat wobble as Thorin stepped in.

"Careful! The boat is very unstable!"

"EASY FOR YOU TO SAY!"

She rolled her eyes...anymore grumbling from Gloin and SHE WOULD SHAVE HIS BEARD! Three boatloads later and nearly all of them were across...Lark jerked her head up...a deer was approaching them; FAST! She could smell it and feel it but not see it. She nudged Kili's arm.

"What?"

"There's a deer heading our way...get your bow ready!"

He pulled it out and nocked an arrow. Even though he couldn't see anything; he trusted Lark. Dwalin was helping Bombur out when the deer came crashing through the shrubs. It was headed for the other bank. Lark tackled Dwalin to the ground but the deer caused Bombur to stumble and fall into the river. Bofur cried out in horror...

"BOMBUR! He cannae swim!"

The fat dwarf flayed about, constantly going under the water. Lark sprung to her feet and ran alongside the river. She spotted a, low hanging, branch hanging above the river. Shifting into the largest snake, she could think of, Lark slid along the branch and dangled herself at Bombur. The fat dwarf grabbed her long body and clung. Lark was shocked by the sudden force and nearly lost her grip, she locked eyes with Kili and screamed into his head.

"HELP! He's far too heavy!"

Kili ran, closely followed by Fili and Bofur, up to the branch. Reluctantly he grabbed the snake's head. Lark hissed in pain; her muscles were aching under Bombur's weight. Kili kept a firm hold of the dark green scales and started to pull her up. Fili and Bofur grabbed Bombur, as he rose from the water, and pulled him to the shore. Lark heaved a sigh and let Kili lift her down. She was exhausted and felt her eyes droop. She shifted back and lent against Kili. Bombur lay on the shore; a smile on his face, fast asleep.

"Great! Now we've gotta lug 'im about as well!"

Lark turned round to Gloin. That was the final straw. She took a step towards him; ignoring the drowsiness clouding around her mind.

"Gloin just SHUT UP! If you've got nothing good to say then say nothing!"

The dwarf gawked at her. Lark took a step back before stumbling. She then realised what was wrong, some of the enchanted water had soaked her. A pair of hands caught her as she fell...Kili looked down at Lark. She was struggling to keep her eyes open.

"LARK! Lark look at me! Don't close those eyes, just look at me!"

Unable to speak, Lark used her mind to speak to him.

"Kili...keep them on the path! Don't let them stray from it!"

He nodded at her. Lark sighed and then her eyelids closed. Sleep had taken hold. Thorin growled about the deer and the dwarves went to lift Bombur. Kili, gently, lifted Lark up. He turned to Thorin.

"I'll carry her...at least until she wakes!"

Thorin nodded at his nephew before turning his back. This would slow them down greatly. Lark's head rested against Kili's chest, her breath warmed him inside. She was light and looked peaceful. Kili walked behind the four, carrying Bombur. He just hoped they'd wake soon, though he relished holding Lark close to him...they carried on through the dark.

Okay likey no likey? Please review! I am so sorry for the long wait but i'm on my hols so there will be LONG delays between updates! Okay i'll try to update soon OK! Please favourite and review! TTFN