Beyond the Forest {Hobbit fanfic}

12. Fangorn

Day came around faster than they expected. It had been only a mere few hours since Melda had begged Erwen to rest, and already, she found herself waking to the bright light that shone from the east. It climbed over the mountain peaks and swallowed the white clouds that dotted the atmosphere.

Time flew by too quickly, rest was scarce. Especially in the situation in which they found themselves in; however, there was no opportunity to sit and mope of their broken and unofficial fellowship. Sawyer was gone for good, they clearly understood that. Melda more than Erwen. She still found herself doubting their actions.

"Why is it that we left Sawyer?" Melda's hands gripped Thalion's reigns, her body becoming tense at Erwen's sudden question. She had healed greatly during the night and could now walk; they would need to be doing a lot of that to trek the woods.

"That night, I found out his true intentions," She began, her eyes still stuck on Thalion, "He had a different plan than to go to Edoras, Erwen." Her heart dropped as she spoke those words to the girl. She was being hunted, who knows how far and wide. All that mattered was helping Erwen get home, it would be difficult with a target on her back, "This is all I can say of the matter."

Erwen fell silent after that and did not speak for a prolonged while. She had sat by the dead fire that had been burning out since the early morning, ending with a pile of charred wood and smoke. She picked the dry grass from its roots and tied it in knots as she watched Melda. Her step was still heavy, she was not healed completely. Elves had amazing healing abilities, her kind could speed up the process, more so than any man. But that required rest and time and that was something they heavily lacked.

"Gather our supplies, child," Melda suddenly announced, "We will be entering these woods soon." The knitted grass in Erwen's hand dropped to the dirt as she stood up and brushed off her dress and hands. Her eyes caught the sight of the dark forest and immediately she grew afraid. Oh, how her heart began to pound, and it never stopped.

She kept her eyesight on those twisted trees as she packed up their campsite. It was so treacherous, so perilous, considering the creatures that could be hiding behind the branches and underbrush. A vacant forest was a dead one, and this one looked more alive than many. Just thinking back on the large spiders she had encountered in Mirkwood, she gulped. Those foul beasts nested in a forest that seemed to appear bright compared to this one.

"Are you prepared?" Melda leaned down and touched the girl's shoulder, causing her to jump slightly. She glanced up at the elf before nodding, "We will be alright, Erwen, do not worry." Her response was a single shake of her head. It was just paranoia, all her fear would come to pass. Eventually.

Melda gripped Thalion's reigns in one hand and Erwen's hand in the other. They walked quickly until they reached the edge of the woods. It was clear that none wanted to trek the inky forest, but at this point they had no choice. It was hours and days through them, or weeks around them.

"Do not fear," Melda sighed, taking a step into the trees. Immediately, her feet brushed by a bush that scratched her skin, but she continued, "Let us get to Edoras before nightfall tomorrow."

Foot after foot, meter after meter, the three companions began their journey through the woods. They never spoke, not even a single word. It was mostly because they were eager to listen to the surrounding sound, but only hear tranquil white noise. It was unclear whether there was life from the lack of noise.

It almost seemed too quiet.

A twig cracked in the distance, causing both of the girls to turn their attention from where the sound came from. It was silent for a moment, before they heard footsteps. But not just from one pair of feet, but dozens. The sound resonated from the trees, it was unclear where it was coming from.

"It's the elven princess," A voice spoke a midst of the violent sound, "Are you feeling homesick?"

Shivers crawled up her spine. The voice was strange, raspy, and had no familiarity whatsoever. It sounded malicious. The panic consumed Melda.

"Do not worry, we will return you to your home, Melda."

{ i wanted to come back and add an update after like a year and a half XD, but i am not sure if i'll continue this story or not }