*Cassy's POV*

The next day we were woken early by Thorin who made us get ready to leave quickly, we didn't even get a chance to eat because of our small amount of food. As soon as we had packed everything up, we untied the horses.

Kili untied our shared horse and once he had fastened the saddle on I quickly mounted the horse before he had the chance.

"Hey!" He said.

"You rode in front yesterday, it's my turn today. Now hop on." I said as I offered him my hand from my place on the horse.

"Fair enough." He replied before he took my hand and pulled himself up on to the saddle behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me so that my back was pressed flush against his chest.

"Comfy?" I asked as I smirked.

"Mmm. Yeah." He said into my hair which made me smile.

"Let's go! We'll reach Mirkwood in a few hours!" Announced Thorin from the front of the group.

I dug my heels into the horse's side making him move after the others. I felt a weird, unnerving feeling in the pit of my stomach at the thought of reaching Mirkwood in a few hours and I knew the others were feeling the same way.

"Are you alright, Cassy? You seem distracted." Said Kili.

"Oh I was just thinking." I said.

"Were you thinking about Mirkwood again?" He asked.

"Yeah. It's just that we don't know what to expect in there. Beorn has already told us about how dangerous it is and considering the forest is home to the woodland elves, led by King Thranduil, I have a feeling that it could end badly considering how much dwarfs hate elves and vise versa." I said.

"I know what you mean, especially when my uncle is involved." He replied. "But I have to admit, after visiting Rivendell I've realised that not all elves are bad."

"Yeah, Elrond and the Rivendell elves are great, but I have to admit I really dislike the woodland elves, especially Thranduil." I said.

"I think all of us here agree with you on that." Said Kili.

"Yeah. I just hope we don't run into any elves whilst we're in there." I said worriedly.

"We'll be fine. I promise." Replied Kili as he rubbed his thumb over my stomach in a soothing pattern.

"I hope so." I said as I turned and smiled at him.

"Considering we have a lot of time until we reach Mirkwood, we could get to know each other better." Said Kili.

"What did you have in mind?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Let's just ask each other questions." He suggested.

"Okay. You start." I said.

"What's your favourite colour?"

"Red and black." I said. "Do you like animals and if so what is your favourite?"

"You can ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you how much I love them. Fili used to think I was crazy because I used to talk to the horses and dogs." Said Kili as he let out a low, deep chuckle, I could feel his chest rumble against my back when he laughed.

"And what's your favourite animal?" I asked grinning.

"I like dogs but I prefer wolves. Not wargs but wild wolves like the ones that live in the forests." He said.

"Wolves are great. I remember hunting with Caspian when we were younger and we managed to hunt down a deer. We set up a fire, cooked it and ate it in the middle of the woods. When Caspian went to get some water a beautiful white wolf roamed into the camp. I offered it some of the deer and it ate it straight out of my hand. It ended up following Caspian and I for weeks." I said smiling at the memory.

"Wow. It sounds like you and Caspian are really close." He said.

"Yeah. He's my twin brother, my other half, part of me. Without him... I don't know what I'd do." I said looking down at the saddle with a sad look on my face.

"I feel the same way about Fili. Although he's my older brother not my twin, but we're as good as." Said Kili as he looked over at his brother.

"Seems as though we have more things in common than we thought." I replied as I turned and smiled at him.

We continued to ride and talk for the next few hours until we caught sight of the dark looming forest in the distance. The trees seemed to get bigger and more intimidating as we journeyed closer.

"Well, here is Mirkwood!" Gandalf exclaimed loudly.

I shifted uncomfortably in front of Kili as we stopped right at the edge of Mirkwood. Kili quickly descended the horse, reaching up his arms to help me down. I accepted his aid with a small smile and once I was on the ground we stood with the others who were looking at the forest cautiously.

I felt the unpleasant feeling in my stomach double when I came to stand beside Bilbo and looked up at the massive dark trees before us. The forest gate was formed like some sort of archway out of two large trees that had mingled and knotted their branches together over many decades and I already dreaded the first step inside the looming darkness that waited behind it.

"Now." Gandalf said. "You must send back these excellent ponies you have borrowed."

I heard a few of the dwarves grumble at that, I knew that we had to sent them back, after all we had promised Beorn that we would.

"Beorn isn't as far off as you might think, you fools." Gandalf huffed at the dwarfs nagging. "If your eyes were as sharp as Mr Baggins', then you would have seen the large bear that has been going along with us and watching the camp at night. Beorn is a bad enemy, and you had better keep your promises. You cannot guess the kindness he has shown you in letting you ride his ponies so far, nor what would happen to you if you dared take them into the forest."

I raised my eyebrows slightly in surprise, had he really been following us? I saw some of the dwarfs exchange worried looks and I turned my gaze to Bilbo who just shrugged.

We had no choice but to fill our water-skins in a nearby stream and unpack the ponies. I saw Dwalin approach me and I smiled when he handed me my bag and pack of supplies that I had to carry. "Thank you, Dwalin." I said as I took the bags and he nodded at me before walking back to his brother.

We distributed the bags and packages as fairly as we could. I did feel sorry for Bilbo because when Bilbo put on his pack, he almost toppled over. I quickly grabbed his shoulder to steady him and the hobbit shot me a thankful look out of slightly widened eyes.

"Don't worry, the packs will get lighter all too soon once we've used up the supplies." Said Thorin.

"What an optimistic outlook you've got there." I replied and Thorin just sent me a pointed look before he walked over to Dwalin.

"My dear Cassandra." Gandalf muttered from behind me causing me and Bilbo to turn to face him, a small smile coming to play around his lips. "I sure hope we meet again before the end of your journey. You made the right decision in accompanying the dwarfs."

"Trust your heart and your friends, and you shall always find the right path, Cassandra." Gandalf muttered, squeezing my shoulder gently. I couldn't help but return his smile, even though I was sad that the wizard was leaving.

Gandalf's gaze wandered to Bilbo then who had witnessed the exchanged silently. The hobbit was looking rather uneasy at the idea of stepping into Mirkwood and Gandalf patted his shoulder. "Now, Bilbo, don't back out now. You have come so far already. I wish you good luck for the remainder of the journey."

I looked at Bilbo who still seemed a bit uneasy, gazing up at Gandalf with an unsure expression on his face. He cleared his throat slightly. "I- I found something in the Goblin tunnels." He mumbled looking unsure, causing Gandalf to narrow his eyes at him. I frowned questioningly as I watched the hobbit's right hand fumble the small pocket on his vest.

"What did you find?" Asked Gandalf slowly, observing Bilbo closely. Bilbo's gaze flew to the ground then, before it landed on me. I gave him a small smile and his expression changed ever so slightly and as he returned his gaze to Gandalf, he pressed his lips together for a moment before he finally answered.

"My courage." Bilbo said a bit hoarsely.

"Good." Gandalf chuckled. "You'll need it."

I exchanged a look with Bilbo and Gandalf turned away from us and towards the rest of the group. Everyone had their packs shouldered by now, their weapons strapped to their sides and backs, ready to depart. Bilbo followed the wizard as he stepped to his horse and began to bid us all farewell. Gandalf wished us good luck and courage several times, telling us something about how he would maybe check in on us once again before the journey was all over. I wasn't really listening though, I was staring into the woods with a frown on my face, I could've sworn that I felt someone, or something, watching us.

"Goodbye!" Thorin growled at the wizard, after Gandalf had already mounted his horse. "If you won't come with us, you had better get off without any more talk."

I saw Gandalf shoot Thorin a slightly cross look but a moment later, Gandalf turned his horse in the direction they had come from. "Goodbye, then!" He called as he rode off into the West. We all reluctantly turned around and headed for the forest gate when we suddenly heard the wizard's faint voice one more time and as we turned around, I saw Gandalf's silhouette in the distance, the wizard having brought his hands to his mouth as he called out to them. "Goodbye! Be good, take care of yourselves and remember not to leave the path!"

Then he turned around and was soon out of our sight.

"That wizard always needs to have the last word." Fili muttered quietly from my left, causing Kili beside him to snort slightly as I chuckled lightly.

"Well, it's either him or our uncle. He just happened to win this round." Kili whispered so that only Fili and I would hear it. The blonde dwarf grinned at his younger brother before we turned around as Thorin ordered us all to get moving.

I fell instep in between Kili and Fili as Kili took my hand in his and gave me a reassuring smile. I returned his smile and squeezed his hand as we followed the rest of the company into the deep, dark depths of Mirkwood.