I continued to watch from afar, still deliberating if I should step in or not. It seemed that Bilbo, wherever he was, was doing just fine without my help. Every now and then I heard something hiss and thump onto the forest floor. I would just have to wait for the dwarves to get free and then I would be able to follow them out of this mess.

A flash of black suddenly sped past me. It wasn't difficult to guess what it was. It chirped and hissed at me in anticipation as I readied my bow. I needed to remain unseen by the company so a stealthy weapon was key. It was time to see what my training was worth. I felt chills run up my spine as it crept closer. I closed my eyes to try to pinpoint it's location. I suddenly flashed my eyes open and whirled round. It was already in the air; ready to pounce. My bow wasn't fast enough for this! I had no time to move.

I was pinned to the ground instantly, desperately holding back it's fangs from my face. Venom dripped onto my cheek; narrowly missing my mouth. I had to kill this thing quickly or I would be discovered. I looked around searching for my bow. It was too far away. It wouldn't be useful in this situation anyway. I was running out of time and strength; I had to think quickly. I could stab it with something. My sword was too big. I transferred all of the strain onto my left arm, pulled out my dagger and stabbed upwards into the creature's abdomen. A dark green resin leaked out from it's wound as it hissed and shrieked at me. Its legs began to shuffle up and stumble in every direction as I twisted the dagger further in. It suddenly curled up around me. As the life drained from its beady black eyes, the furry limbs, caging me, seized up which in turn, lifted its body off of me. I crawled out from under it and caught my breath.

More branches were rustling and snapping nearby. I retrieved my bow, re-notched my arrow and stood my ground. This time I saw it's furry mandibled before it had located me. I adjusted my aim and let my arrow fly. My arrow buried itself straight into the creature's face and the spider collapsed instantly.

As I neared the scene I could make out the gruff voices of the dwarves. I would have to remain hidden and despite wanting to, I wouldn't be able to help unless absolutely necessary. This time, I kept low to the ground as the spiders were likely to be in the trees. I ducked behind a nearby bush and watched as the chaos ensued.

"Grab a leg!" one of them ordered, in all the movement I couldn't distinguish who spoke. Bombur appeared to be trapped beneath the spider like I had been only a few moments ago. Each dwarf grabbed a leg and prepared dismember the beast as one of them yeled an encouraging "Pull!"

Watched as each leg detached from the ghastly creature with a disgusting squelching noise. It took a lot of restraint on my part not to groan in discomfort as the now dead spider collapsed onto Bombur with a thud.

Beneath the layers of groans and grunts the dwarves made as the slew all of the spiders I could hear footfalls. They were too light to be more spiders. Too light even to be Bilbo. It seemed that we had even more trouble on our hands. The dwarves had killed all of the spiders and began running through the forest with greater haste. Remaining hidden, I swiftly followed them. There was a sharp hiss coming from above. I looked up to see even more spiders descending from threads of silk. I readied my bow yet again and raised it; down my sights I saw a blond haired elf flash through the treetops. He leaped to grasp one of the spider's threads and slid down it with great elegance and skill. He then lightly touched down on the spider and slid onto the forest floor with a sword in toe; seamlessly slicing the arachnid in half. Then, before my very eyes, stood from kneeling with his bow already out, nocked and pointed directly at Thorin. All around them emerged several more elves. I crouched even lower to the ground to avoid detection; I wasn't sure how any of us were going to get out of this.

The first elf spoke directly to Thorin, "Do not think I won't kill you, dwarf. It would be my pleasure." What an ugly expression for someone so graceful.

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Kili's distressed call for help.

"Kili!" Fili called out. I turned to where he was looking and saw Kili being pulled away by his foot by a spider. An arrow suddenly planted itself right into the spider's mouth. In my shock, I didn't see who fired it. I traced the path it took and was stunned by a wisp of fiery red hair. She swiftly stabbed at the spider behind her, not quite killing it, but wounding it, badly.

"Throw me your dagger! Quick!" My attention was quickly ripped from the elleth and back to Kili who was dodging the advances of yet another spider. But she ignored him. I started to weigh up my options. If I didn't help Kili would get hurt but I couldn't be discovered. The elleth was too busy to help and the other elves stood apathetically.

It was decided. I stood from my hiding spot, pulled back my bowstring and fired straight at the arachnid's face. It shriveled up in pain and collapsed to the ground. Everyone's eyes flashed to me and suddenly the first elf's sword was at my back. I could feel it's cold, unforgiving metal at my spine. I recoiled away from it only to have my torso trapped by his arm.

"She-elf..." Thorin murmured in shock.

"Mani naa lle doien sinome, edhel?" The blond elf asked me, puzzled. When I didn't answer, his face hardened and he turned to the others, "Search them."

{"What are you doing here, elf."

He then released me only to hand me to another elf as he searched the dwarves himself. He sauntered over to Gloin and pulled out what looked like a photo frame from his pocket.

"Hey! Give it back!" Gloin protested, "That's private!"

The elf then studied the pictures, "Who is this? Your brother?" he asked rudely.

"That is my wife!" Gloin retorted, angrily.

His eyes then shifted to the other picture, "And what is this horrid creature? A goblin mutant?" His rudeness was not only irritating Gloin but myself too.

"That's my wee lad, Gimli." Gloin seemed to have more composure than I did. I could feel heat radiate through my palms as I clenched them.

The rude elf raised his eyebrow at Gloin in contempt. Which caused me to snap. "You are incessantly ignorant! How could you be so rude to someone you have not yet met. You are all so quick to pass judgeme-"

"You will not insult the Prince of Mirkwood," my current captor raised his blade to my throat, "you are the one who is ignorant"

He is a prince; even more rude and toxic hearted than most, for he should be more gracious than others, surely.

The prince ignored me and turned to the red haired elleth, "Gyrth in yngyl bain?"

{"Are the spiders dead?"

"Ennorner gwanod in yngyl na nyryn. Engain nar," The elleth replied.

{"Yes, but more will come. They're growing bolder."

The prince then pulled out Thorin's sword and studied it in recognition, "Echannen i vegil hen vin Gondolin. Magannen nan Gelydh," he then turned to Thorin, "Where did you get this?"

{"This is an ancient Elvish blade. Forged by my kin."

"It was given to me." Thorin answered warily.

The elf then pointed the sword at Thorin. "Not just a thief, but a liar as well," His face twisted into another ugl expression, "Enwenno hain!"

{"Take them!

***

We were being lead away by the elves; in front of the elleth leading me was the prince and separating me from the dwarves were two other elves. I could feel the familiar sensation of Thorin's accusing stare burning into the back of my head. I slightly smiled at the memory. Though my smile soon faded. There was still no sign of Bilbo.

I could hear Thorin whispering to Dwalin, "What is she doing here" he hissed.

As we headed over a large stone bridge, the prince calls an order to the guards, "Holo in ennyn."

{"Close the gate."

Everyone was pushed through the gate but the rude prince. He paused and looked back, scanning the forest. He then turned and carried on through the gate.

The kingdom was absolutely enchanting, stone trees rose tall and proud and tree roots twisted through the surroundings. Despite being underground, the air didn't feel as close as I had expected. We were lead up many winding pathways deeper and deeper into the darkness. My eyes were captured by what I assumed was the center of the kingdom; an enormous throne was stood in place raised from the main floor. Antlers sprawled out from the sides and curled round the glorious seated figure. The king of Mirkwood.