The Path
(Thorin)
"So, you are the one they called Oakenshield?" the large skin changer, Beoron asks in his deep growly voice. I nod as he pours more milk into the cups of the company.
"Tell me, why is Azog the defiler hunting you?"
Elena nervously glances at me before continuing to nibble on the sticky honey comb in hand.
The rest of the company remain under the same silence and tension.
"You know if Azog?" I deflect looking up at the bear man "How?"
"My people were the first to livein the mountains......before the Orcs came downfrom the North.The Defiler killed most of my family." His intimidating demeanor falters by the sadness in his eyes as he grips his mug showing the remainder of old chains on his wrist "But some he......enslaved.Not for work, you understand......but for sport.Caging skin-changers and torturing themseemed to amuse him."
"There are others like you?" Bilbo questions from down the table.
"Once there were many."
The Hobbit looks nervously to the man "And now?"
"Now there is only one." Beorn states as now the whole table has gone silent. Looking next to me I see the shine of tears in Elena's eyes. Her eyes locked on the table deep in thought.
Beorn breaks the silence motioning to the window "You need to reach the mountain beforethe last days of autumn.Before Durin's Day falls."
I nod "Yes."
"You are running out of time."
Gandalf speaks up "Which is why we mustgo through Mirkwood."
Beorn looks to the wizard warily "A darkness lies upon that forest.Fowl things creep beneath those trees.There is an alliancebetween the Orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Guldur.I would not venture there......except in great need."
"Dol Guldur?" Elena questions nervously looking to Gandalf "The fortress and the shadow man...the fortress is in Mirkwood?"
"We will not go in that place. I can assure you dear girl." Gandalf says to ease her conscious, but the scene from the woods replays in my memory as it does Elena's. I watch it play out again by the way she grips the arms of her chair.
Gandalf chuckles hesitantly "We will take the Elven Road.That path is still safe."
""Safe"?" Beorn scoffs "The Wood Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin.They're less wise......and more dangerous.But it matters not."
I look from Elena to Beorn whose eyes are on me now "What do you mean?"
"These lands are crawling with Orcs.Their numbers are growing.And you are on foot.You will never reach the forest alive."
As I glare up at Beorn the bear glares back slowly stalking up on me as if I were prey "I don't like Dwarves.They're greedy......and blind.Blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own."
Uncomfortably I shift as he walks right next to me towering in his giant sted. He looks to me but then to Elena. Her fearful expression but kind eyes look back at him as his demeanor changes. Turning back he sighs "But Orcs I hate more.What do you need?"
---
(Bilbo)
We all mounted the magnificent horses Beorn lent to us. He gave us what food and little weapons his had to see us to at least the end of Mirkwood. As I hold the reign to my horse Beorn commands "Go now. While you have the light.Your hunters are not far behind."
Elena who is the closest to him speaks softly "Thank you Beorn. You're a good man." she extends her hand to him.
He looks to her then to her hand which he hesitantly takes. His grip on her is strong and her own small hand constricts as her shoulders tense. The glow between her brows erupts for a moment then disappears. When she opens her eyes full of tears she looks back at him. His face as sad as her own. She mutters to him "You will not be sad forever Beorn."
For a moment the skin changer seems vulnerable, open, and for an instant...free.
Quickly releasing her hand he steps back "Go, while there's still time."
---
(Elena)
I stand before the towering forest. The trees of Mirkwood seem to touch the sky but loom over us like a bad omen. Nervously I swallow seeing the glimpse of the dark holes for eyes of the shadow man. The cut on my arm still stinging at the memory.
Bilbo walks up next to me with a grimace on his face "This forest feels...sick. As if a disease lies upon it."
"Do you think we could possibly go around or something?" I ask aloud to which Gandalf replies "Not unless we go 200 miles north.Or twice that distance...south."
The wizard's eyes look to the tree's as I turn and look to the open entrance ahead with its open pathway. Cautiously I step forward hesitating every move. I stop just at the treeline looking into the thick of the darkness. I feel a pull to its empty space. A tug at my heart. My mind begins to fog and I begin to see with new eyes. With a Seer's eyes. That is when I see the trail of light leading to the path and I hear a voice call to me "Elena."
All fear, doubt, cares, and wants fade from me. At the sound of the voice and the trail of light ahead of me all I know is one thing. "You have the answers."
(Gandalf)
I face the Elven statue before me. The delicate female face of the Elven King's wife stares back. I frown feeling the pit in my stomach. It is then that I hear my lady Galadriel's voice "Something moves in the shadows unseen......hidden from our sight.Everyday it grows in strength.Beware the Necromancer.He is not what he seems.If our Enemy has returned,we must know.Go to the tombs in the mountains."
I pull back the vines covering the statue and see the red marking of our enemies searching eye. My fear radiates through me but I step back from its overwhelming air. I know the tricks of these woods as well as the Elves and secrets within it, but I know I must take leave of my companions for the sake of the rest of the world. I sigh "The High Fells.So be it."
I take leave of the woods and return to the Company. As Nori begins to release my horse to join the others sent back to Beorn, I call out "Not my horse!I need it!"
Bilbo who has acknowledge my change in demeanor steps forward "You're not leaving us?"
"I would not do this unless I had to."
Bilbo nods in an understanding and seems to stand with more confidence. I eye him sensing a power from him or more along in his coat pocket "You've changed......Bilbo Baggins.You're not the same Hobbitas the one who left the Shire."
The Hobbit's voice sounds almost filled with regret "I was going to tell you.I......found something in the Goblin tunnels."
I lean down "Found what?What did you find?"
"....My courage."
I smirk and stand straighter "Good. Well, that's good.You'll need it."
I look from Bilbo to Thorin and the others who look very displeased "I'll be waiting for youat the overlook, before the slopes of Erebor.Keep the map and key safe.Do not enter that mountain without me.This is not the Greenwood of old.The very air of the forestis heavy with illusion.It'll seek to enter your mindand lead you astray."
"Lead us astray"?What does that mean?" Bofur asks nervously.
I mount my horse "You must stay on the path.Do not leave it.If you do, you'll never......find it again.No matter what may come, stay on the-"
A whisper calls out. A sudden chill hits me. Like a cold corpse hand taking hold of my shoulder. My eyes widen as the voice whispers the name of its captor.
I whirl around and look to the giant forest then to the company who is one member short.
"Where is Elena?"
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