Mutated Feelings ~ The Witcher

Mirkwood ~2

Seconds later Geralt and Vesemir found themselves in a castle ruins in what looked like the middle of the night.

The ruins were dark and gloomy. They smelled of evil and decay.

As Geralt composed himself after the horrid portal experience -which in his opinion- was the worst one yet, he stood looking at the place.

'This place smells of death.' He said.

'Yes wolf. I felt it as soon as I set foot here. This place is dangerous. ' replied Vesemir.

'Where is this damn mage ? I don't trust this place. Yen said he'll be here as soon as we arrive.' Said Geralt.

'Patience wolf. Maybe we arrived too soon. One can never trust portals.' Vesemir answered.

'You certainly are not late my friends.' Gandalf said as he came into view.
'My name is Gandalf the Grey. Welcome to Middle Earth. ' The wizard said smiling

'Hello master mage I am Vesemir. A witcher from the school of the wolf, and this here is my companion Geralt of Rivia. But of course you already know that.' Vesemir said welcoming the wizard.

'Mage? No no my friends I am but a humble wizard.' He chuckled.' And yes I've been expecting you. You arrived just in time.' Gandalf continued smiling.

'Alright. Not to sound rude but can you give us the spell so we can leave. We really have no time to spare.' Geralt said in a serious tone.

'A spell? There's no spell. The help you seek cannot be contained in words no matter how magical and powerful they are.' Gandalf replied calmly.

'Then what are we here for?' Vesemir said.

'You'll know in due time. For I fear you may not believe me. Now we must get to Mirkwood. The elven king Thranduil has what you seek.' Gandalf answered.
'This way.' He said descending a set of broken staris.

'What is this place if you don't mind my asking master wizard?' Vesemir asked.

'This is a place of evil master witcher. I'd suggest we hurry up and leave.' He said.

Vesemir and Geralt shared a look. They knew that this place is evil. Their witchers' senses were on high alret as soon as they arrived.

They walked for a bit in silence until they arrived at what looks like the entrance to a thick forest.

Gandalf untied three horses 'Here I've brought us horses for the journey. '

'These woods look very dense. Are you sure you know your way?' Geralt inquired.

'Yes master witcher I do. I may look old but my memory has never failed me before !' Gandalf replied smiling.

They hopped on the horses and made their way through the gloomy woods

'These woods. What's wrong with them?' Asked Geralt.

'They were once called Greenwood. A lush beautiful forest. It houses a great elven kingdom. But the once young prince Thranduil grew afraid after his father was killed in battle. He grew resentful of the world and kept his people inclosed inside their kingdom. Nothing comes out or in unless he knows about it. And since elves live forever, his people developed a bit of a hatred and fear of the world and other races. Soon enough, darkness found its way to our world, and these woods were no different. The king kept his people safe inside the walls of his kingdom and ignored the rest. Eventually malice came knocking at his door and dark creature infested these woods. Soon enough the forest dwellers started calling it Mirkwood. As you can imagine, it became grim and dusty. One could lose his life here easily.' Gandalf explained.

"Sounds like your elves are no different than ours." Geralt thought to himself.

'These dark creature you mentioned? What are they? And do they still fester here?' Geralt asked Gandalf.

'They're creatures of darkness. Big gaint spider like creatures with a lust for flesh. And I'm afraid they still live here despite of King Thranduil's efforts to end them.' Gandalf replied sadly.

'Gaint spiders huh?! Could be kikmores, arachas or perhaps aracnomorphs. Some silver will do them good!' Geralt said with a smirk.

'No matter what they are wolf they're still dangerous and I know you can take them down easily but that's not what we came for and I truly hope we won't meet any. ' Said Vesemir.

'Me and you both master witcher.' Said Gandalf in a low voice.

'I'd like to know more about this elven king if you don't mind master mage.' Vesemir asked.

'Oh please call me Gandalf. What would you like to know?'

'Wither or not he will help us. Elves can be racist and hard headed where we come from.'

'Yes. Elves are truly a proud race but elves do help out here. It's just your luck that what you need is in the hands of Thranduil.' Gandalf said

'How are we going to get what we seek then?' Geralt cut their conversation.

'For that I'm counting on someone master witcher.' Gandalf said seemingly ending Geralt's questions.
'Just remember, let me speak to the king. I'd prefer if none of you speak. He really does not like strangers.' He added.

'It seems like mages in the world are as mysterious and annoying as the ones we have back home' Geralt thought to himself clearly bothered by the lack of details.

The trio continued in silence. Each of them immersed in his thoughts.