A Hobbit's Tale-Thorin's P.O.V.

33-Lost

After that we headed towards Mirkwood forest firmly known as Greenwood. Riding side by side with Anya with Gandalf leading us towards the forest. So far there was no sign of the orcs.
Dwalin: "No sign of those orcs, luck is on our side."
I was also relieved at this news, dismounting our rides we stood in front of the dreaded forest. Gandalf was heading towards the forest, probably to investigate. I noticed that Anya was quiet, staring ahead. I could see her hand clutching her locket. She does that when she is uneasy about something. I walked closer to her, taking her hand in mine, she slightly flinches.
Thorin: "Are you alright, love? If you are not feeling well then I suggest that you should go back."
Anya:(Shaking her head)"No, I am fine, Thorin, I'm alright. Its this place, I'm having a bad feeling about it."
Bilbo: "You are right, Anya, this place does look sick. As if some kind of disease has taken over."
Is that so? Well I have heard rumors about this place but as Gandalf mentioned earlier that the quicker path towards our goal was going through Mirkwood Forest. I just hope that we could avoid the certain elves residing there. Then Gandalf told us to release the ponies so they could return to their master. As we did so I looked at Anya, releasing Eva. I know it wasn't easy to let go, I could still remember that look on her face back when we were chased by those orcs. After seeing her horse months later now, Fili, Kili & Bofur helped her. Eva who also seems reluctant to go back at first but Anya gave her a final hug then gently pushed her off. I could understand her feelings about this as I went up to her took her hand in mine briefly. She gave me a sad smile yet she straightened her shoulders, trying to be brave. My love. Squeezing her hand gently. I noticed Nori near Gandalf's horse. I heard Gandalf's gruff voice with an odd tone in his voice.
Gandalf: "Wait, not my horse, I need it."
Nori looked back at him, startled as did the others. I simply looked at the wizard as he came closer.
Anya: "What? Wait, don't tell me that you're leaving again."
Gandalf:(Gripping her arm)"Trust me, my child, I wouldn't be leaving if it wasn't necessary. But I shall rejoin you soon."(Looking at me)"Now, keep the key & the map safe, under no circumstances must you enter the mountain. Wait for me at the overlook point in Erebor, understood?"
I merely nodded my head, not saying a word. Gandalf then gave Anya a side hug. Then he turned to look at Bilbo & began talking to him. Something was definitely up with the old man, he had become agitated as soon as he walked out of the forest. I still did not like the fact that we had to go through the Mirkwood Forest. But if we go around the forest towards North, it will take us much longer to reach our destination though. Then he walked back to his horse, the clouds above us began to rumble & it started to drizzle. Although the weather was warm today. Gandalf mounted his horse & looked at us.
Gandalf: "Now remember that this is not the Greenwood of old. A heavy dark enchantment has taken over this place. Do not stray from the elven path, keep following it & you should be able to go through safely. There is stream in there but it has a dark enchantment. Do not touch the water just cross the stone bridge. The air is heavy with illusions that shall lead your mind astray."
Bilbo: "Lead our mind astray, what does that mean?"
The others began to mumble to themselves, feeling uneasy. But we had no choice.
Gandalf:(Turning his horse)"No matter what, do not leave the elven path, once you do you will never find it again."
Thorin: "Come on, we must keep going, we have to reach the mountain before Durin's Day. We have only one chance in finding the hidden door."
The others grumbled a bit as they secured their belongings. I turned to look at Anya. She was standing there watching the wizard, ride away. Huffing lightly, I walked towards her, taking her hand in mine. Without a word we entered the forest, searching the elven path. The trees & the plants surrounding us were lifeless, I did not like this. We found the path & we began to follow it. In silence we walked on, staying on the path, soon it seems we had gone even deeper in this forest. I was leading them onwards, I could definitely feel the heaviness in the air as we walked on. The path pretty much led in different directions, Dwalin who was tapping with his axe found it & we followed him. Soon we reached the stream, Bofur found the stone bridge but to our dismay the bridge was not there, how? We looked about for another way across. Someone suggested to just wade through the water, really?!?
Thorin: "Did you forget what Gandalf instructed us not to touch the water. It is enchanted with dark magic. Who knows what else is!"
Bofur: "Doesn't look that enchanted to me."
Anya: "I suggest we should find another way across without losing the path. For I can see the rest just across from us."
I nodded in agreement, then Kili found some vines which would take us across. He was about to do the task himself but I stopped him.
Thorin: "Kili, wait. We must send the lightest first."
I couldn't hide my smirk I saw the dwarfs eyeing him. Of course Master Baggins, clearly was not happy but he did sign the contract. Soon he was on his way over the vines, despite this odd feeling I was going through, I was praying that he must not fall. Anya & I stood nearby watching him, I gritted my jaw as I saw Bilbo almost lose his grip yet hung on. Even though he was nearly halfway through yet I started to climb over, not wanting to stay here much longer, Anya followed next. I still do not trust this place, we had to get out of here & fast. Behind me the other dwarfs followed us next. Bilbo managed to get across safely but he was mumbling to himself, shaking his finger at something & shaking his head.
Bilbo: "Something is not right, not right at all. Stay where you are, oh!"
I simply rolled my eyes, I landed next to Bilbo, as Anya got closer I slipped my arm around her waist. I helped her land safely on the ground next to me. She mumbles thanks to me & I merely nod my head. I had noticed that Bilbo was slapping his face as if to keep himself awake. My ears picked up a slight noise to my right, I turned my head to look. What I see before me made me blink my eyes twice, for there in front of me was a white stag. Never in my life have I ever seen such a creature it's horns were like silver glinting against the sunlight. Magnificent! But at first I couldn't tell whether it was real or part of the illusions. Then I place an arrow in my bow & raise it to take aim. Part of my mind believes that the either the creature was an illusion or our dinner.
Bilbo: "What are you doing?"
Blinking, I stared at the animal, he was staring at us or rather at the me. Anya was standing behind me looking over my shoulder, I was aiming at the white stag. Next, I thought I heard what sounded like a slight growl, huh?! That sound came from the animal? I froze momentarily for the stag seems to be glaring at me. What kind of sorcery is this? Then I fired the arrow but missed & the stag ran off into the forest. Curse the creature!
Bilbo: "You shouldn't have done that. It's bad luck."
Thorin: "I don't believe in luck, we make our own luck."
Then we heard a splashing sound, turning, it was Bombur, he fell asleep, landing in the water. By Durin, could this day get any worse? Anya patted my shoulder as I began to grumble, incoherently.
Anya: "Relax, I got this. Bofur, Mr. Dwalin, I need your help in this."
They managed to make a wooden stretcher, strong enough to carry Bombur. Soon we were on our way, using the Elven path, going even deeper into the woods, I think! Actually the air around us was getting heavier & suffocating. I could not think clearly, for some strange reason my head was ringing. With odd voices whispering, many voices, hard to differentiate. I was sure that the company felt the same thing. We stopped momentarily, to rest, the girl slumped down near my feet. I lean against a tree, trying to regain my bearings. The others were mumbling their own. It almost felt as if we were drunk, our minds were heavy with this odd stupor. Neither of us could tell whether it is the same day or the next. I tried to remain focused, yet there were strange voices echoing. Either in my head or around us due to the accursed enchantment. In the distance, through my hazy mind I thought I saw a way out. I pushed through the others urging them to follow. Behind me I barely could hear both Bilbo & Anya shouting. Telling us to remain in the path. Yet I kept going & the company following close behind me.

1618 words!