Chương 64: Chapter 64: Mirkwood PT 4

[General POV]

The sun was setting on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the few green trees of Mirkwood. The expedition group was slowly making its way toward the Elven kingdom, escorted by the Silvan Elves.

-Aldril-

"Do you really fight these spiders daily?" I asked Tauriel as I looked around the forest. In contrast to the dark and withered woods at the beginning, this part was full of life.

Tauriel, with her graceful stride, responded, "We usually have skirmishes every so often, but they're gaining ground. Dark magic feeds them, making them stronger over time. It's fortunate we haven't had any casualties lately."

I frowned at the mention of "Dark magic," and murmured, knowing that Middle-earth was full of mysteries and dangers. However, I couldn't learn more about them, as the movies only scratched the surface of Tolkien's vast world. 'Maybe the books explore it, but unfortunately, I haven't read them.'

Hearing my murmur, Tauriel nodded and fell silent for a few seconds, as if pondering what to say next. "Dark magic is an ancient and dangerous concept, growing every day, spreading throughout Mirkwood. It's a corruption that emanates from the deepest parts of the earth, affecting every creature it touches. The spiders are just one manifestation of it."

"That doesn't sound good," I said, paying closer attention to her words. It was a concept that would be very dangerous to explore. Even Gandalf warned me that nothing good comes from this knowledge. "Have you been fighting these creatures for a long time?"

In response to my question, Tauriel fell silent, her brow furrowing as she recalled what her adoptive mother had told her. "My adoptive mother mentioned that they've been battling these dark creatures since the Third Age. It all began when Sauron built the fortress of Dol Guldur. His dark magic spread like a plague, withering the forest that was once so full of life, infecting the creatures that inhabited it. As for the spiders, they came along with Sauron. King Thranduil mentioned that they are descendants of Ungoliant, the devourer of the Two Trees of silver and gold."

'Ungoliant, I've read about that spider. If I remember correctly, her descendants are the ones that attack Frodo and Sam on their way to Mordor,' I thought, recalling that this particular spider had an insatiable hunger. Even Morgoth, the Dark Lord, feared her, but her endless hunger led her to consume herself, ending her life. I knew little of this from a YouTube video where some of Ungoliant's history was mentioned, but I don't remember much about it now. I also didn't finish reading the books in Rivendell, so my knowledge only scratches the surface regarding this spider.

In a way, Aldril was right. Ungoliant, desiring to devour all the light of Arda, turned against Morgoth, who was saved by his Balrogs, who repelled her. She fled to Nan-Dungortheb, where she bred with the great spiders that dwelled there, increasing the terror and power of her species. The creatures that later infested the area included her infamous daughter Shelob, who inhabits the borders of Mordor.

"It's admirable that you've been fighting these plagues for so many years," I said with admiration. I didn't know Tauriel's age, and it would be foolish to ask since years are fleeting for Elves in their eternal lives.

With a radiant smile, Tauriel nodded. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw some Elves smile at my comment, clearly pleased that someone recognized what they had been fighting for so many years.

As we fell into a comfortable silence, a memory came to me of how Anguirel's light dispelled parts of the dark forest as we walked, even protecting me along with Anglachel from the influence of the dark magic in the river. Perhaps after completing the events of The Hobbit, I might stay to help the Elves cleanse part of the darkness, and what better way than to go to Dol Guldur and purge the dark magic from its source?

"By the way, you mentioned my mother. Did you know her?" I asked, breaking our comfortable silence, causing Tauriel to turn to me, smiling. 'What a beautiful smile,' I thought, as each smile she gave me quickened my heartbeat.

"Yes, I met Lady Tindómiel when I was a child. She came to slay Smaug, but unfortunately, the creature escaped and hasn't been seen since," she replied, getting lost in her memories.

"My mother came to kill Smaug?" I murmured, stunned. I hadn't known this; no one had mentioned it during my stay in Rivendell. My mother was undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. No wonder Glorfindel said she was one of the strongest Elves in the history of Middle-earth, capable of standing toe-to-toe with Sauron while he held the One Ring.

Tauriel's words not only surprised me but also Bilbo, who was walking behind us. With a shocked expression, he turned to see if the Dwarves had heard, but they were too busy arguing with the Elves. Even Thorin was engaged in a heated discussion with an Elf named Legolas, who had taken his sword.

Fortunately, since Aldril was nearby, they didn't confiscate his belongings, allowing him to hide his magical ring and elven sword. Even the dwarves didn't notice the preferential treatment the elf was giving Aldril. He didn't know if it was because they were oblivious or for some other reason.

However, what Bilbo didn't notice was the surprised look on Balin's face. Despite the argument around him, Balin managed to hear that Aldril was the son of the adventurer Tindómiel and that she herself had come to slay Smaug. He had heard this rumor before but didn't believe it, as no elf would ever help a dwarf reclaim his kingdom, and vice versa. Balin admitted that the elf had earned his respect, and now her son, who apparently was half-elf, was helping them rid their kingdom of the wicked dragon, which made him smile quietly.

"Yes, that's right," Tauriel nodded, but as if realizing something, she gave me a strange look and asked, "Didn't you know about this? Didn't she tell you?"

I lowered my head slightly at her question, feeling uncomfortable discussing this topic. Even though I didn't know her, my elven blood had intensified my emotions, yearning for maternal warmth. But fortunately, my mental fortitude helped me control these overwhelming emotions at the mention of my mother.

"No, I didn't know her. I was raised by my great-grandmother," I said, shaking my head in disappointment. "I've only recently discovered from my uncle Elrond that my mother is Tindómiel," I explained.

Tauriel nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry, I should have guessed when you mentioned she was taken to Valinor," she said before glancing at Anguirel, which had stopped glowing.

"When I was a child, I asked Lady Tindómiel if she could give me her sword when I grew up. She shook her head and mentioned that it has a will of its own and that not just anyone could wield it. I thought she said that just because she didn't want to give it to me, but after seeing what happened to Legolas… I understood why she didn't even let me hold it," she said, bringing her hand delicately to her mouth, stifling a laugh.

It was certainly quite funny and unexpected what happened. Glorfindel had mentioned the danger of someone trying to take my swords. Fortunately, Legolas was only sent flying and nothing serious happened, though his disheveled and muddy appearance made it a rather amusing moment.

"Mm," I nodded, a smile forming on my lips. "It was quite… unexpected," I said, pausing to avoid laughing. However, Tauriel couldn't contain her laughter and began to laugh softly.

"Oh! It seems we've arrived," she said, regaining her composure. "I'll take the dwarf to King Thranduil. I'll have one of my companions guide you to a free room. After all, you must be tired."

"Thank you," I said as we entered through the enormous stone doors that magically opened with ease. I had no idea what kind of engineering or magic they used to open such large doors. It was undoubtedly a work of art with the elven engravings that adorned it.

Tauriel didn't take long to part ways with me. She and Legolas were guiding a frustrated Thorin, who glared at them with barely contained fury. They weren't treating him like the king he was, a clear sign of disrespect that made him quite angry. But knowing he was at a disadvantage, he contained his anger.

I watched Tauriel's figure as she walked away. Every step she took was like the delicacy of a spring flower swayed by a gentle breeze—the way her hips swayed, her long legs, that great—"Ahem," I coughed to compose myself. It was extremely rude to look at a woman that way, but I couldn't help it. She was the only one who had evoked such feelings in me.

"Hey, bastard! What are you doing? Let go of me!"

"Don't touch me, filthy elf!"

A commotion behind me made me tear my eyes away from Tauriel. I turned around and saw the dwarves being forcibly taken away by a group of elves. I didn't understand why this was happening; I thought they would also extend their hospitality to the dwarves, but it seems it's going to play out like in the movie.

"Aldril, they're taking the others. What should we do?" A nervous Bilbo asked me. I didn't know when he had gotten so close, but it didn't matter. Knowing the dwarves would be fine, I patted his shoulder. "They'll be fine, Bilbo," I said to reassure him.

"Excuse me, Mr Aldril, the captain has asked me to take you to your resting place," an elf interrupted my conversation with Bilbo, who hid behind me, fearing they might take him away by force too.

"That's fine, but could you tell me where they're taking the dwarves?" I asked out of curiosity. I imagined what he would say, but it was better to confirm.

"They're being taken to the cells. King Thranduil mentioned that upon their arrival, the dwarves should be brought there," he said, then noticed a small figure hiding behind me.

Following his gaze, I realized this elf thought Bilbo was a dwarf, so I quickly spoke to avoid any misunderstandings. "This is my friend, a hobbit. I'd appreciate it if you could also prepare a room for him," I said.

The elf's frown disappeared as soon as I mentioned that Bilbo was a hobbit, though they were also known as halflings. "Very well, please follow me," he responded, guiding us in the opposite direction from the dwarves, who started making a fuss when they saw us being taken elsewhere.

"You bastard! Where are you taking them?" Gloin shouted, clearly believing they were going to do something to us. He hadn't seen that I got along well with Tauriel, so he assumed the worst.

"You better not do anything to them! Or I'll kill you!" Surprisingly, it was Dwalin who shouted this time.

"Aldril, Bilbo, don't worry. Thorin will get us out of this," Bofur shouted as he was taken away with the others.

Hearing how the dwarves were worried about us, I lowered my head, feeling a bit nervous. Like me, Bilbo had lowered his head. Clearly, the dwarves had misunderstood the elf's actions.

'Sorry guys, but I don't want to sleep in a cell,' I thought as I turned to see them and nodded. 'I'll make it up to you by stealing some of the elves' wine,' I thought as I followed the elf.

Looking down, I discovered that Bilbo had smiled slyly. Sensing my gaze, he looked up, and in a tacit understanding, we both smiled.

***

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