This wasn't woodland like before, there wasn't breaks in the canopy where the sky was visible, there wasn't golden beams of sunlight bursting through the russet leaves. This was a forest, dense with tightly packed trees which twisted together in a winding column of bark and gnarled branches. Kili hadn't seen even a fleeting glance of sky, no quick flash of blue, since they entered it. Kili shivered. Something about this forest felt wrong like the air was sick and dying. And the further the orcs ventured, the more stifling the air became. It was enough to make the young dwarf lightheaded, he staggered behind the orcs, every ounce of concentration in his weary mind making sure he did not stumble or trip. For once he almost felt glad for the orcs' presence. He would not want to be alone in this strange, suffocating forest. The trees around them seemed dead with grey, cracking bark that seemed to crumble when even the tips of the wargs' fur brushed against them. The leaves on the ground disintegrated into dust without so much as a crunch when they were stepped on, it was like they were made of ash and had never even been alive. In fact, there appeared to be no life in the forest at all. Kili had not heard a single bird chirp, nor even the gentle beating of wings. True, all bird song seemed to cease abruptly whenever the orcs strode past, like the winged creatures tried to make themselves disappear, like when Kili was a boy and he and Fili would play hide-and-seek, his young mind had thought that holding his breath would make him turn invisible. But once the orcs had moved on, the birds would start to sing their melodies again. Kili could always hear them somewhere. Except here, where he, the orcs and their fearsome wargs seemed to be the only living, breathing creatures for leagues.
There was a bitter smell in the air, like something old and decaying. And as Kili and the Orcs marched deeper into the forest, he realised that the scent belonged to the trees. They hadn't seemed alive before, but now they looked skeletal and crooked. And even the branches above were completely bare and the leaves that scattered around the roots were as grey as the trees they had fallen from, withering away into the dirt. Kili glanced up and for the first time all day he could see the sky, it was dark and grey, stormy clouds floating gloomily above. It seemed as though the heavens were about to spill open. The sky seemed just as miserable as the forest. Kili looked away from the sky and instead kept his head low, eyes focusing on the ground to watch for interwoven roots. He couldn't help but notice how tattered his boots had become, they were scratched and stained with dirt and blood, and the soles had begun to get worn down. He frowned and looked back at the path. After some time, the trees began to gradually break apart, giving way to pockets of open space, littered with bare shrubs. The orcs and wargs suddenly seemed to grow anxious, yellow eyes flicking about them. Kili watched them through the gaps in his dark, matted hair. Only Azog and the other pale orc seemed untroubled by whatever was concerning the others. Even Gurlak appeared nervous.
And then he saw it, appearing through the treeline, a monstrous shadow against the grey sky. A huge, decaying fortress atop a jagged, rocky hill. It towered above everything else, enormous and forbidding, scratching at the sky and at the dark storm clouds that almost seemed to be swirling around the turrets, like they were being dragged in. Crumbling and cracked trees protruded from the stone like spikes, bare spindly branches clinging to the walls like dead ivy. This was an evil, damned place. Kili dug his heels into the dirt, growling and tugging at the rope like a feral animal, in a futile attempt to avoid entering into the shadowy structure. But Gurlak pulled him onwards, his posture rigid and movements stiff. Like the clouds above, Kili too, was being dragged into sinister fortress. Like a dog on a chain, he was pulled ever closer, across a long, stone bridge. Fog hung low, engulfing broken walls and battlements in a thin smoky blanket. It swirled around his ankles, like ghostly fingers tugging at the bottoms of his trousers. Soon he was completely in the shadow of the fortress, engulfed in a shroud of dark and cold air. And the air was cold indeed, it was as though winter already had it firmly within its grasp. Kili shivered, every hair on his body was stood on age. As the orcs pulled him onwards, he became aware of flickering torchlight in lower halls, shapes of bodies and scimitars and spears dancing off the walls, cackles echoing from every direction. There were more orcs here. Kili wanted to struggle again, but the putrid and heavy air made each breath feel like he was breathing in smoke and fear had suddenly gripped him like a vice, making him feel like there was ice in his muscles, preventing him from fighting against his bonds. He didn't want to be here. Not in this place which felt so cruel. Soon he was well within the walls and whatever light the dark sky cast was swiftly dimmed. He saw malicious eyes glowing at him from the shadows as curious orcs came to gawp at him, their teeth flashing with callous sneers as they watched him being hauled passed. He wanted to keep his eyes down, to not look at them, but every noise, every echoing footstep and cackle, made him flinch and glimpse around him like a rabbit in a snare. And everywhere his startled gaze fell stood those vile creatures.
Before long, Azog dismounted his white warg, heavy boots echoing off the stone walls like drums as he landed. He looked towards Kili who stood trembling on unsteady legs, pale faced and frightened. It pleased him to see the impetuous and insolent dwarf he had first captured reduced to a quivering child. He sneered to himself. Pathetic.
"Lock him up." He called to Gurlak, throwing him a rusted key. And with that, Kili was led away, Bile and Murg pointing the tips of their swords at him, forcing down a narrow and dingy hallway. Dust fell from disintegrating rock above his head and a bitter air swirled around him. The corridor twisted left and he found himself shoved down a hard, stone stairway. His body colliding with the steps on the way down with sickening thuds and sharp stabs of pain. The three orcs roared with laughter, Murg bent double with his body arms around his stomach. Kili lay on the cold floor, winded and dazed, his hand went to his head which throbbed, he felt warm blood against his palm. The walls around him swayed and warped, bending at odd angles and looming with greater height. Kili bit down on his lip, a pained moan finding its way from his mouth.
Gurlak strode down the steps with a smug grin on his face. He looked down at Kili, crouched on the floor and groaning in pain before he reached down, wrapped a hand around his throat and lifted him off the ground. Kili's back was pushed against the wall, cold, rough stone pressing against his skin, and his feet far from the ground and kicking out at the orc as he struggled for breath. Gurlak leaned in close, their faces inches apart. Kili did his best to glare at him.
"It is a shame the master has a plan for you," Gurlak growled, grip tightening around the dwarf's throat. Kili was beginning to see dark spots in his vision as he desperately tried to kick at Gurlak, trying to find breath. "Or I would gut you like a fish right here." The cruel words spilled over grey lips, pulled back in a hateful snarl. The orc ran the tip of a jagged, dirty knife across Kili's cheek bone. Kili let out a whimper and red blood began to pour from the wound and onto the orc's hand. With a growl Gurlak let go and Kili fell to the ground, his hands rubbing at his neck as he coughed and gasped for breath. The callous creature didn't allow Kili to fill his lungs with air before grabbing his forearm and dragging him forward some feet, away from the staircase, at the top of which Bile and Murg were still stood laughing. Gurlak stopped in front of a dark cell with rusted metal bars, he unlocked the door and yanked it open. The metal scratched against the floor with a screech, the hinges groaned and juddered. He knelt down in front of a still panting Kili and cut away the rope around his wrists before hauling the dwarf to his feet by his hair and throwing him forward into the cell. Kili landed on his hands and knees, his knees and palm stinging as they met the cold ground. Then the door was slammed shut and locked.
Kili didn't move until the orcs' footsteps disappeared, he remained on his hands and knees, panting and shaking until he was sure they were gone. His whole body trembled, with each tremor pain shoot through him, winding around his limbs, up his spine and into his head. Slowly he shifted and with a groan he forced himself to his feet, his legs shaking so much he had to raise his arms to his sides like an unsteady toddler. It took some moments for him to regain his balance, he felt like he had been spinning endlessly for hours and only now he had come to a stop. His vision was blurred, darkness creeping in at the edges, everything swayed and swirled, and his stomach was doing summersaults. He pitched forward and retched, but his stomach was empty so only harsh coughs, scratching at his throat, came up. He closed his eyes, straightened his back and sucked in a deep breath. The air was even bitterer and colder down here, as he breathed out it came away like a cloud of smoke. He took a staggering step forward, hissing with pain and squeezing his eyes briefly shut as he put weight on his left foot. A sprain? He groaned and moved forward again, wrapping his hands around the iron bars of the cell. The bars were so cold against his palm it felt like he was holding onto icicles. Kili leaned forward so he could see out into the shadowy passageway. It was empty and quiet, the only sound was the distant, echoing sounds of orcs in the other halls. A dead ivy stalk hung limply from the cracked ceiling, swaying ever so slightly. Hardly any light reached this place at all, shadows were already engulfing the bricks, drawing away what little light there was. As soon as night arrived, Kili doubted whether he'd even be able to see his hand if he was to hold in front of his face.
With a sigh he stumbled away and slid slowly down the back wall of the cell. The side of his torso stung, he glanced down to see that the skin had been scratched away when he'd been thrown down the steps, blood run sluggishly downwards in thick red rivulets. His arm too had angry red grazes, the dirty flesh around them pink and sore. He was also aware of blood rolling down past his right eye. Everything ached, every inch of skin tingled, every muscle throbbed and his bones felt tired. He felt tired. His eyelids were heavy and for once he felt like he may let them close, because he was alone now. For the first time since he had been captured he was really, truly alone. For the first time in his life he was by himself. He didn't like being alone. He wanted his brother. He wanted Fili to hold him close and tell him that everything was going to be alright. But Fili thought he was dead and he was never going to see him again. He drew his knees up and allowed a solitary tear to creep down his cheek.
There had been times in the past week where Fili felt he could not go on. How could he continue without his brother? With the cold, empty space beside him serving as a constant reminder of what had happened? For the first time in his life he had wanted to give up, but now he felt fuelled by his loss. A new burning determination in his gut, they were doing this for Kili now. And that was the only thing that had coaxed him out of Beorn's house that morning. The gold which lay within Erebor, the desire to reclaim what belonged to his family, was not what motivated him. For the riches were pointless in his mind now, not even every ounce of gold in that mountain could buy back the life that was stolen from him. It was the memory of his brother's excitement to be a part of something important, the great adventure he had strongly desired, that spurred him onwards. Kili had so wanted them to take back Erebor, and Fili would not let him down. Or else those orcs would have murdered him for nothing. So as the company mounted the black and white ponies, long manes blowing in the breeze, and kicked them onwards, Fili looked to the sky, blue and clear, and said to the heavens,
"This is for you, nadadith."
They had rode all morning, Beorn's grand house shrinking into the distance, across moorland and soft rolling hills until the sun hung high and afternoon fell upon them. It was a fine day and didn't feel much like autumn at all. The sun had warmed their cheeks and for the first time in many days, the wind didn't nip at their noses or freeze their fingers. It was almost as though autumn was taking a day off. The pleasant weather coupled with the stories from the night before had helped to lift the company's spirits as they set out with a new determination. Even Fili had managed a smile that morning. Now they dismounted the ponies with grateful pats and looked up at the forest before them, tall trees with browning leaves stretching towards the sky. But there was a strange air about the place, something that didn't feel quite right and made the company fall into an uneasy quiet. They looked upon it with apprehensive frowns, staring at the shadows and grey tree trunks. As they had rode towards it, a fog had rolled in over the hills, clinging to the treetops. It very suddenly felt like autumn again, and the brief cheerfulness was swiftly halted.
"Here lies our path through Mirkwood." Gandalf announced, stood on the edge of the forest. Huge wooded structures like deer antlers sticking out of the ground. Fili heard his uncle growl slightly. Mirkwood meant elves.
"No sign of the orcs." Dwalin said, sliding off his pony who shook its head. "We have luck on our side." The wizard looked at him dubiously, eyes narrowing, before staring into the distance and at a familiar shape upon the horizon. A big black bear stood atop a cliff, watching them from afar. Luck, it seemed, was not the only thing keeping the orcs away.
"Set the ponies lose," Gandalf instructed, "let them return to their master." The old wizard's voice seemed to echo off the trees which groaned and creaked. Bilbo looked into the shadowy forest, feeling a chill of anxiety creep up his spine.
"This forest feels sick," he said, "as if a disease lies upon it." He didn't like the look of this place, didn't like the feel of it. "Is there no way around?"
"Not unless we go two hundred miles north, or twice that distance south." Gandalf had begun striding into forest. The trees around him almost as grey as his robes. Bilbo sighed and turned away, not in any hurry to continue. Around him the dwarves busied themselves with their packs, Beorn had provided them with some food and water, and rearranged their weapons. They spoke in hushed voices, as though they thought the forest was listening to them. A breeze blew through the trees pushing dry, dead leaves along the ground.
As the ponies trotted away along the moor and Nori began to ready Gandalf's black horse to do the same, the Wizard hurried out of the forest, a flustered look on his face. "Not my horse," he said urgently, "I need it." The company turned to look at him.
"You're not leaving us?" Bilbo asked. Not now, not with all that had happened. Gandalf looked down at him apologetically, yet still hurrying to his horse, who looked impatient.
"I would not do this unless I had to." He said. Thorin glared at him. Gandalf was leaving them? Now? When the company so desperately needed to remain together? He bit his tongue and instead curled his fists at his sides, looking away and to the ground. Gandalf stopped and regarded Bilbo with pensive eyes.
"You've changed, Bilbo Baggins. You're not the same hobbit as the one who left the Shire." His voice was low as he spoke. Bilbo looked up at him and the Wizard rose an eyebrow.
"I was going to tell you," Bilbo said, voice shaking ever so slightly, "I found something in the Goblin Tunnels."
"What?" Gandalf leaned down slightly, eyes narrow and curious. "What did you find?" Bilbo gulped and sucked in a deep breath.
"My courage." He nodded. Gandalf smiled at him.
"Good. Well that's good. You'll need it." Bilbo frowned at that. Need it for what? For the dragon or something that lay within the forest? But Gandalf said no more, he turned around and marched away, passed the dwarves who looked at him uncertainly. "I'll be waiting for you at the overlook, on the slopes of Erebor. Keep the map and key safe." He stared at Thorin. "Do not enter that mountain without me." He said sternly. Thorin frowned but nodded. Behind them the trees creaked again, leaves fell from the top branches and a wind seemed to envelop the place. It was cold here. "This is not the Greenwood of old." Gandalf said to the company, "The very air is heavy with illusion, it will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray" He managed to catch Thorin's eye and looked towards Fili who was fidgeting with the knife in his left vambrace. Thorin understood. If anyone was vulnerable to having their heads played with, it was his nephew, whose mind was already weary with grief and guilt. He would keep a careful watch over him. "You must stay on the path," Gandalf instructed as he mounted his horse, "do not leave it. If you do, you will never find it again." And with that he rode away, leaving the company behind to stare up at the wicked forest before them. Looming above them sinisterly. It was strange how a cluster of trees could cause such unease. The company seemed wary of what lay ahead. This forest was not a friendly place.
"Come on." Thorin said, marching forward, "we must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin's day. It's our one chance to find the hidden door." He grabbed Fili's arm, "stay close, nephew." The blonde nodded, eyes being drawn up towards the canopy above. A shiver crept up his spine as the air suddenly become much heavier.
This was not a friendly place at all.
-A/N-
I have returned! My exams are over and I'm free! Damn it feels so good, I've missed writing for you guys. I was studying and idea kept coming to my head.
Soooo chapter 21! Wooo!
Poor Kili, Gurlak really is being a dick to him.
Because you've waited so long for this chapter, and have been ever so patient, I will post chapter 22 tomorrow! And to make you feel better I will also let you know that the reunion is getting closer (I know you've all been eagerly awaiting it) and is about four chapters away! Yay! But what's going to happen in those four chapters I wonder ;) Hmmm.
As usual, follows, favourites and (especially) reviews are appreciated :D
