Child Of Light

Enter mirkwood

"Now heed my warning dwarves. You must not drink from the black river and stay on the path. If I see a single scratch on the girl there will be trouble" Beron warned.

"It's ok Beron, I'll be fine." Erica said patting his hand. He smiled and rounded up some horses. Erica sat up in front of Thorin and smiled at Beron but he was looking at Thorin seriously "Thorin Oakinshield, son of thrain. Remember my warning. Protect Erica and do not let her get hurt" he growled. Thorin wrapped an arm around Erica's waist "I promise you I will protect her with my life as she had hers. When we have reclaimed Erebor, we will come back to see you." He said. Beron nodded.

Erica leaned down and kissed his hairy cheek "thank you for everything Beron. Your a good friend" she said smiling.

"I have never had many friends before. I'm glad to call you my friend" he said. Erica smiled and waved at Thorin made the pony go. They all travelled through the fields, finally making it to the edge of Mirkwood. Once called the evergreen forest for it's sheer beauty...now Mirkwood for it looked sick and dreary. An uneasiness consumed Erica but with a reassuring look from Thorin and Gandalf she felt better. She jumped off the horse and peered at the dead forest.

'This looks really bad' Yue said in her head

' I know. It looks dead...like a disease....Yue I don't know if I can go in there' Erica said fearfully.

'Youll be okay sweetie. Thorin and the others will be right behind you and I'll be here as well to keep you sane' Yue said seriously. Erica sighed and mentally nodded 'ok. Thank you' she said

'Anytime. I'll keep talking to you whenever I can'

Erica didn't hear her anymore when Thorin called for her. She walked over to the group and took Thorins awaiting hand. "Where's Gandalf?" She asked

"He had to be elsewhere but we can manage without him lass. He's gonna meet us at the mountain" Dwalin explained.

"Oh, okay"

"Dinnie worry lass, as long as we don't stray from the path we will be fine" Bofur said patting her shoulder. Erica smiled and nodded

"Hey! how about Erica makes an ice path behind us, that way we won't loose the path" Ori suggested.

"That's actually not a bad idea Ori. When did you get so clever?" Dori asked. Ori blushed and sheepishly rubbed his neck as. Erica walked forward and checked the path. She knelt down and touched the stone, seeing the frost slowly spread across it "well seems to work" Bilbo mumbled looking over her shoulder. But as soon as he said that the ice vanished making Erica stumble back and fall.

"What happened?" Ori asked. Erica shook her head, getting the dizziness away "the forest is rejecting my powers." She mumbled

She was helped up by Bofur until a wave of dizziness hit her like a ton of bricks. She held her head and shut her eyes "lass are ye alright?" Dwalin asked rubbing her back. She sighed and pressed on "what are we waiting for? Let's go" she said following the path. Thorin and Dwalin went in front, finding the path.

Dwalin thumped the ground with his axe until he heard stone hitting "the path leads this way, come on" he called.

Meanwhile the diziness became worse for Erica and she was finding it difficult to breath.

'Yue, what's wrong with me' she asked

'The air is ripe with death. Your one with the wind, that's why it's affecting you the most' the spirit explained

'I can't breath. I fell awful' Erica panted. She finally fell to her knees, breathing deeply, alerting the company "Erica?! Lass come on stay awake now" Balin spoke. Erica sighed heavily and tried to stand but felt too weak. She fell onto her stomach, face down to the stone path. Oin rushed over and turned her over with Thorin on the other side of her with a panicked expression.

"It's the air around her. It's making her sick" Oin confirmed seeing her pale face.

"We need to keep moving, and get her air quickly" Thorin said picking her up in his arms. Erica groaned in discomfort and buried her face in Throins neck "I don't feel so good" she whimpered clinging onto him. Thorin held her tightly to him

"I know love I know, we are going to get out of here, just hold on to me" Thorin whispered. The group moved further until Bofur stopped "why have we stopped?!" Thorin called

"The path! It's gone!" Bofur called in fear.

"Find it! Find the path!" Thorin yelled keeping a firm hold on Erica. No one was able to find the path and they began walking in circles. Erica had become much worse and began to struggle to breath.

When the company began arguing Thorin set her down against the tree to split them up. Bilbo tiptoed over to Erica and helped her up "come on Erica, we need to climb" he whispered.

"Climb?" She mumbled tiredly.

"Above the trees, come on, I'll help you" Bilbo urged, helping her climb. Erica could feel tiny rays of sunshine on her face and the air seeping into the trees. When she and Bilbo finally reached the top, she took a deep breath in. Basking in the cold clean air around her and let it out. Immediately she felt better and took in as much air as she could.

She looked around her, basking in the Beaty of the sun rise and the colourful leaves. Next to a river, was the lonely mountain "Bilbo look! We are so close!" Erica squealed happily

"Your right! We found it! We know where to go!" He called down to the company. But no reply came. Erica frowned and told him to stay up while she climbed down to see what was happening. She saw the group frozen in place "guys what's wrong?" She asked

"Shh! Were being watched!" Dwalin hissed. She walked over and looked around to see if anything was there. Silence filled the forest, making her uneasy and slip closer to Thorin who seized her hand.

Out of no where giant spiders appeared making Erica shriek as the dwarves began to attack. She drew her sword and fought off a few until she was caught by the legs. She screamed as she was dragged away, digging her nails into the soil.

"help me!" She screeched catching Bifurs attention. He roared and ran forward and hacked away the spiders head. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back to the group until something stung her back and darkness was all that took her vision...