The Eyes of Emerald

Chapter 15

The journey to the forest was surprisingly easy and quick. However, if not for Beorns generosity of allowing them to borrow his ponies, no one knew how long it would take for them to get there, or if they'd run into any orcs. But Fili and Kili noticed something. Thorin and Balin keeping a close eye on Dawn. Which was odd, because other than times when he would give orders, he wouldn't speak to her as much compared to all the others. As they got off their ponies, Thorin stopped both Fili and Kili to talk to them, and eventually Bilbo.

"Has Dawn seemed troubled to you? Any of you?" he asked. The three looked at each other. Bilbo silently gulped, knowing exactly what he was asking. Fili knew only of one or two nights from the very beginning of the journey. Kili however was the only one who had no idea on the subject.

"No," replied Kili. Fili nodded with his brother.

"What about you, Bilbo?" said Thorin.
Bilbo looked at Dawn, who was feeding one if the ponies an apple.

"Well, a few nights ago she had a nighmare. Where she was dead but could witness everything. See a moment where Azog was about to win and..." Bilbo paused. Should he tell Thorin about Fili in the dream? And with Fili right there to hear?

"And what? Come on, spit it out," commanded Thorin.

"...and where she saw Fili grieving, before his final moments." Both Thorin and Fili felt surprised. Did Dawn really dream of Fili?

"When she woke up she was full if tears. That's why she wears that vile around her neck. In case she cannot cry on command." Fili turned to Dawn to see, indeed, a vile of a clear substance around her neck.

"You two, listen closely," said Thorin to the brothers. "I want you to keep a close eye on Dawn while we are in this forest. Understood?" The two nodded and then joined Dawn.

"Here lies our path through Mirkwood," said Gandalf. Bilbo and Dawn walked forward to be a little closed to the gateway. "Set the ponies loose. Let them return to their master."

"This forest feels...sick. As if a disease lies upon it." Dawn looked at the forest, and couldn't agree more. Only the tips of the trees bore leaves, making them appear to be slowly dying. The trunks had an unhealthy look of blue and grey, as did some of the leaves. The branches twisted and turned in abnormal ways, and some of them seemed to have the appearance of thorns on them.

"Is there no way around?" asked the hobbit.

"Not unless we go 200 miles north or twice that distance south." Dawn walked over to one of the ponies and set it loose. She suddenly looked at her hands. At first they seemed their normal selves, until she looked at her palms. On the palm of her right hand were glowing green lines that made the dwarvish word for begin. She gasped at this new form that she had not seen before. She did not even realize Fili approaching towards her.

"What's that?" he asked with concern in his voice. Dawn quickly looked up and swiped her hands behind her back.

"What?" she asked trying not to make anything sound suspicious. Unfortunately, Fili caught her bluff. He then took grasp of her hands, and looked for himself. His face was frozen when he saw the mark on her right hand.

"What happened?" Fili questioned.

"I don't know. I'm sure it's nothing," said Dawn. But he didn't listen. Instead, he brought Thorin and Gandalf.

"What does it mean, Gandalf?" asked Fili. Gandalf took her hand and inspected. His eyes lightly widened.

"It appears the Eyes of Emerald are ready to receive her powers." Powers? What powers?

"That is that supposed to mean?!" Thorin questioned angrily.

"Well, the eyes of emerald are supposed to harness three other powers other than her tears: ósanwe, foresight, and green pyrokinesis. When she harnesses each power at the right time, her hand will show it. I suppose that is for when you saved Thorin." Dawn looked at her hand once more. She would be getting three more powers. But suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by Gandalf.