That's Another Story For Later

Stay Behind

*Hey guys! Sorry I forgot to post yesterday! But thanks for reading! Please vote and comment and share! Can we see if this can reach 800? Thanks!*

"We need a way to get to Mirkwood before the Orcs run us down. I saw that you had ponies. May we use them?" I said politely, afraid that Thorin would offend the skin-changer. He nodded, turning to me. Kili's grip on my knee tightened, and his knuckles were almost white.

"Yes. I will. Follow me." We stood, and he took us to the ponies after collecting supplies in our satchels. We saddled them, mounting them. "Elf hybrid." He called. I looked back, still having to look up despite being mounted. "Why do you travel with them?"

"I've grown up with one of these dwarves. I know they need a home. I do not have one either, and so I will reclaim their home, with the Company. This is my lineage I have grown up around, so I have to reclaim my home too. I also have to protect Kili, and Fili, for they sometimes bite off more than they can chew." I looked over at the two laughing about something.

"You are brave, your intentions true. Remember, do not take the ponies into Mirkwood." He turned, addressing the entire group. "Go now, while you have the light. The hunters are not far behind." We started out a brisk trot, settling more into a lope, riding quickly to reach Mirkwood.

"Iridian." Fili and Kili rode up to me. "What did Beorn ask you?" Kili's eyes were dark, and I could tell he was offput by Beorn.

"He just asked me why I travelled with you guys."

"And why is that?" Fili said.

"To take back the home you deserve because I never had a real one. Or I don't remember it. And someone has to protect you two. You're always getting into trouble." I added, wiggling my eyebrows. They had rueful looks on their face. I was right, and they knew it. We rode on in silence from there. The early part of the day was filled with hard riding. I spent it trying to remember the home I had before Dwalin, but it was like a blur. It was there, just indistinguishable. We slowed to a stop, approaching a looming, very gloomy looking forest.

Gandalf dismounted, walking to the edge of the forest. An ancient archway was at the edge of the forest, made of what looked like horns of some ivory. I recognized the design. But from where I didn't know. "The Elven Gate." It was similar to Elrond's crown. "Here lies our path through Mirkwood."

"No sign of Orcs. We have luck on our side." Dwalin said.

"Dwalin. We've never had luck. This is just a break within our misfortune." I called out. The bald dwarf dismounted his pony. Gandalf squinted in the distance. I followed his gaze to see Beorn, watching us within his bear form.

"Set the ponies loose. Let them return to their master." Gandalf said. We started to take off the supplies that were on the white and brown horses. Something wormed its way through my heart. It felt... like I knew this place. I felt like I had been here. But yet... it feels worse than last I'd been there.

"This forest feels... sick, as if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way around?" Bilbo said, walking toward the forest archway.

"Not unless we go two hundred miles north, or twice that distance... south." Gandalf answered. I watched as he walked into the forest a few feet, into the shadows. He approached a plant covered statue. I glanced over and watched Bilbo pull out the ring, twirling it in his fingers. I heard the voice chanting again, softly, and then slightly louder. I tried to shut it out by clamping my hands over my ears, but it wasn't a voice outside.

It was in my head.

Another voice entered. It was unfamiliar, female. "Something moves in the shadows unseen, hidden from our sight. Every day it grows in strength. Beware the Necromancer. He is not what he seems." Gandalf approached the shadow, apprehension in every step. He quickly yanked off the vines, and it revealed a painted- on eye of some sort.

A flaming eye, with a slit pupil, the eye flaming, burst into my vision, the Necromancer's whispers exploding into every corner of my head. It engulfed everything, and it was all I saw. It was the Eye of Sauron. I let out a small shriek, falling to my knees, putting my head in my hands, threading my fingers through my hair. I looked up and saw Bilbo gasp slightly. I was shaking head to toe, a leaf in a storm. "Iridian!" Kili pulled my up by my arms, holding my face with his hands.

"What happened?" I shook my head, pulling away from his hands, burying my face into his shoulder.

"I- I don't know. I heard some whispers from one of my visions, and then the Eye of Sauron consumed my sight." I said, taking in shuddering breaths.

"Iridian." A gruff voice said. I looked up, and saw Thorin looking at me. "What happened?" I slowly explained the vision, and the eye. Kili's thumb rubbed circles in my palm, and Fili had grasped my elbow softly. "How did you know about the Eye of Sauron?"

"I read it somewhere while I was in Rivendell."

"I don't think you should go into Mirkwood." Thorin said after hesitation.

"What?" I almost shouted. "You can't be serious Thorin."

"I almost am. It seems like the forest is affecting you before we've even stepped inside."

"Thorin. You can't do that. You can't leave me here." I pleaded.

"I don't know. I can't afford to lose you, and if standing before Mirkwood is what's getting you already, then it's best if you stay back."

"Uncle." The brothers said. His eyes fixed on the two. Fili spoke first.

"You can't do that. She's come all this way with us. She can't just stop here. Where will she go?"

"I don't know. Back to Beorn's. He seemed fond of her." Kili's hand tightened on mine.

"No. I refuse. Uncle. I'll take care of her. I'll keep her safe." Kili retorted.

"And what if you should go under the influence of the forest? What then?" Thorin said gravely. They said nothing.

"Not my horse! I need it." Gandalf said, interrupting our conversation. He strode forward. Everyone murmured in surprise.

"You're not leaving us?" Bilbo said, a hint of anger in his voice. Why is it he left right before something bad was supposedly going to happen?

"I would not do this unless I had to." Gandalf sighed. The wizard looked at Thorin, before turning back to Bilbo. "You've changed, Bilbo Baggins. You're not the same Hobbit as the one who left the Shire."

"I was going to tell you; I... found something in the Goblin tunnels." Bilbo admitted. My eyes widened at the fact he was going to reveal the ring.

"Found what?" Gandalf leaned forward, curiosity and suspicion in his eyes. Bilbo paused, fumbling with the ring in his pocket. "What did you find?" For several more seconds, Bilbo was silent, and then he responded.

"My courage." His hand left his pocket, and I was both disappointed, and glad.

"Good. Well, that's good. You'll need it." He started to walk toward his horse. He paused, speaking to Thorin. "I'll be waiting for you at the overlook, before the slopes of Erebor. Keep the map and key safe. Do not enter that mountain without me." He looked hard at the king, and continued to his horse. "This is not the Greenwood of old. The very air of the forest is heavy with illusion. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray."

"Lead us astray? What does that mean?" Bilbo said to Dwalin. Kili looked at me upon the words about the air of Mirkwood. Gandalf didn't respond, getting on his horse. Drops landed on my nose. I held out my hand. It had started to drizzle, despite the sun being out. That always fascinated me, sun showers.

"You must stay on the path; do not leave it. If you do, you will never find it again." He wheeled his horse away, and trotted off. "No matter what may come, stay on the path!" Gandalf called over his shoulder.

"Iridian. Are you sure you want to go?" I turned to the forest, and something deep within called me. Not my name; but my soul, my mind, my heart.

"Yes."

"Take care of her." Dwalin growled. Kili nodded.

"Come on. We must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin's Day." Thorin encouraged.

"Durin's Day. Let's go!" Dwalin shouted.

"Durin's Day... " I echoed.