My Own Star In The Sky

Chapter 18: Mirkwood forest

Dakota's POV:

I woke up in an empty bed. I sat up and the covers fell from my body. I noticed I wasn't wearing any clothes. So it wasn't a dream. He really proposed to me, we really... My thoughts were interrupted. I heard a knock and then a voice. "Dakota? Thorin told me to tell you that we're leaving quickly so you have to get up." Bilbo said from the other side of the door. "Alright, I'll get ready." I replied. "See you in a bit, My Lady!" He said and I heard him walk away. I quickly put on my clothes and attached my weapons to my belt. I was almost done packing everything when the door opened. Fili and Kili walked in. "Boys! Have you two slept well?" I asked. They nodded. "You have to hurry. Your breakfast is getting cold." Fili said. "Let the girl take her time!" Kili exclaimed. "She was very busy last night! Maybe she's even carrying your new cousin!" He added. Fili raised an eyebrow at his brother. "That won't stop her food from cooling down." Fili argued. "Boys, stop it! Just finish packing or something and let me finish packing my stuff. Then I'll go and get my breakfast." 

I was finished and was about to walk out of the room. "And I'm not pregnant, Kili." I added. "How do you know?" He asked. I stopped in my tracks. "Uhh... well... I don't." I said. I turned to the boys and then walked to the main part of the house were the big table was and I quickly ate my food. I was about to walk outside to join the others when someone called my name. "Kota!" I turned around and faced Balin and Dwalin. I smiled and they returned it. "We want to congratulate you on your engagement to Thorin." Balin said. Dwalin patted my back. "Thank you. Does everyone know?" I asked. "Every single soul... in the company." Dwalin said. Out of nowhere I got picked up from the ground and twirled around the room. "Uncle is finally getting married! With this beauty here!" Kili exclaimed happily. He brought me outside and all the dwarves who were already outside looked at us. "She's getting married everyone!" he shouted at everyone. Everyone came running towards us and I got attacked by hugs. I fell to the ground because of the weight and when the dwarves finally got off of me Kili pulled me to my feet. Everyone was now outside and getting the horses ready. "Are we supposed to ride these big boys?" I asked Fili and Kili who were standing next to me. "Of course! Did you see any other animals that you can ride?" Kili asked. I looked at him. "Other than you, no." Fili chuckled. "Someone can help you get on." He said. I nodded. "I suppose so." I walked over to one of the horses. I was going to try and mount it when Thorin stood next to me. "Need some help with that?" 

"Yes, thank you." Thorin helped me get on the horse and I smiled at him gratefully. Thorin nodded and mounted his own horse. Gandalf was the last one to join us and when he was ready we galloped away at full speed.

We reached the forest of Mirkwood and I slowed my horse to a stop. The trees looked somewhat dead to me. There was something like a front portal where we had to enter the forest. "This already looks creepy." I said to Fili and Kili who stopped their horses next to me. "Are you getting a bit scared?" Fili asked grinning. "Who would've believed?" Kili exclaimed. "Well, aren't you two even a bit creeped out?" I asked in disbelief. Fili and Kili exchanged a glance. "Well..." Kili began. "Of course we're scared but just not as much as you though." Fili confessed. "But there is no reason to be scared because we got each other!" Kili said confidently. We dismounted our horses and Nori and Dori took care of them. "This is our path through Mirkwood." Gandalf said. "No sign of the orcs. We have luck on our side." Dwalin stated and dismounted his horse. The dwarves were setting the ponies loose so they could return to their master. Bilbo stood right next to me. "This forest feels sick. As if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way around?" he asked not keen on walking through the forest. "Not unless we go 200 miles north, or twice that distance south." Gandalf replied.

Bilbo nodded understanding and looked at me. "I know. I'd rather take a different road as well. We just don't have the time." "Even if we would have the time we would be run down by orcs." He added. "Indeed. This will just have to do." I said sighing. I helped the dwarves with the horses.