Within the forest.
Looking at the members of the expedition team riding on horses not far away with smiles on their faces.
Bion looked coldly and said: "Before you enter the dark forest, you must let go of my horses. They can find them on their own."
Gandalf nodded and smiled: "Of course, we are very happy to get your help, I assure you."
While the two were talking.
A raven with red eyes and a dark body stopped on the top branch of a big tree opposite.
The raven casually looked at the expedition team below and quacked a few times before quickly spreading its wings and flying away.
Looking at the raven flying away, Gandalf didn't look very good.
You must know that two days ago, the orc scout team came to the door after hearing the harsh and unpleasant cry just now.
The skin-changer Bion had a lot of dealings with orcs, and he immediately noticed something strange and said, "I'm afraid you are being watched..."
Gandalf was still chatting with Beorn.
In the queue, everyone was waiting patiently.
Morgan was sitting on a white-haired horse checking his equipment.
A high elf sword hung on one side of his waist, and a short sword on the other side.
There is also a dagger pinned to the lower body and the little foot.
Carrying a long bow and an empty quiver on his back.
The arrows have been unable to be replenished since the last one was used up days ago.
Even here in Beorn, the skin-changer, there are no arrows to replenish.
The best skill of archery cannot be used.
Fortunately, he has mastered the White Crow Swordsmanship very quickly during this period.
In addition to the last major attribute enhancement, there are also four special skills at hand.
Morgan's current melee prowess has completely surpassed his long-range archery prowess, and even surpassed him.
Facing the dangerous journey in the dark forest next time, we are more secure.
Just thinking of the wood elves in the plot in his mind, Morgan was a little worried.
He didn't want to be arrested, and he didn't want to depend on the kindness of others for his life.
But the route has been determined, Morgan is just a bounty hunter who gets paid to do things.
Even if his strength is extraordinary, his status in the team is good.
But once Morgan wants to get involved in the team's route and other things, it is almost impossible.
Gandalf would not allow it, and Thorin Oakenshield would not allow it.
We can only take one step at a time.
Chewing the beef jerky that Beorn gave to the team, Morgan secretly thought about it.
"Ouch..."
At this moment, a familiar terrifying howl suddenly sounded.
"No, this is the voice of the Gundaba Warg..."
"Damn it, the orcs won't catch up again..."
"We should go..."
"Thorin..."
The dwarves spoke one after another.
The horse underneath him also became a little restless because of the howling of the warg.
Thorin Oakenshield couldn't wait any longer and shouted in the distance: "Gandalf, it's time for us to go!"
The expressions of Gandalf and Beorn also changed when they heard the howl of the warg.
Beorn immediately said: "Let's go now, while there is still sunshine."
Gandalf nodded and strode towards the team with a heavy look on his face.
It didn't take long.
A dozen or so riders from the expedition team rushed out of the forest and into the vast wilderness.
Fortunately, it was mid-morning at this time.
The weather in late autumn is also very nice.
The autumn sun hangs high, the wind is gentle and the clouds are light.
In such weather, the first thing the orcs have to face when going out is the annoying sunshine.
The road is easy to walk in the vast, flat, sparsely wooded wilderness.
Especially if you are riding a horse.
The location of the skin-changer Beon's family is not too far from the dark forest where the expedition team is going.
It only took half a day.
Towards the afternoon.
The members of the expedition team, who had been running for several hours, saw a vast and boundless forest in the distance.
"Is Mirkwood ahead?"
"certainly..."
"Thanks to the God of Destiny, we finally arrived safely..."
"Yes, I didn't see any orcs this time. I'm so lucky..."
"..."
As they got closer to the big forest ahead, the dwarves began to talk.
Just looking at the big forest in front of him and listening to the dwarves behind him talking about luck, Gandalf's face became heavier and heavier, and he couldn't help but complain in his heart that luck was a ghost.
Soon, when the expedition team arrived in front of the big forest, everyone saw that something was wrong with the forest in front of them.
The trees are withered and yellow, the soil is gray and black, the birds cannot be heard, and there is no green at all.
This does not look like a normal forest at all, but more like a withered, diseased, and dead forest that exudes a rotten atmosphere.
It was almost afternoon, and the autumn sun in the sky hid in the thick clouds at some point and disappeared.
The sky was gloomy, and the cold wind made the robes of the people riding on the horses whistle.
Gandalf dismounted first and walked towards a road ahead that clearly showed traces of man-made signs.
Gandalf walked and watched, standing in the middle of a dilapidated but still delicate road. Gandalf turned around and shouted to the people behind him: "This is the Elven Gate, and the road through the Dark Forest is here."
Soon, Gandalf thought of something again and continued to shout: "You can come down, take down the packages, release the horses, and let them return to their masters."
After Gandalf shouted, he continued to move forward, observing the situation at the Elven Gate.
After hearing what Gandalf said, everyone behind them quickly dismounted and packed their packages.
"This forest feels like it's sick, what do you think..."
"Indeed, it looks very uncomfortable..."
"There's something wrong with this forest. Is there no other way..."
"You have to ask Gandalf and Thorin about this..."
"We are not afraid of orcs, but we are afraid of a sick forest..."
"..."
The dwarves were busy and talking among themselves.
Morgan took the flask, hip flask, and a small package, took the blanket off the horse's back, untied the reins, and finally slapped the horse's butt.
Watch the white horse run away ahead.
Morgan also answered: "Of course we are not afraid of trouble, but it would be better if we can avoid trouble. After all, the day in Turin is very close."
At this time, Gandalf, who seemed to have discovered something, came over with a serious face, and shouted loudly to Balin, who was unbridling his horse: "Keep my horse, I still want to use it."
After the words fell, others immediately looked over.
Bilbo immediately asked: "Gandalf, are you going to abandon us?"
Gandalf looked grave and shook his head: "If it wasn't impossible, I wouldn't want to."
Morgan stepped forward and said, "Do you have to leave?"
He has memories of the next plot in his memory.
If possible, Morgan really didn't want Gandalf to leave at this time.
Gandalf still shook his head, looked at Morgan and said in a deep voice: "I always trust you. You must be careful when entering the forest. Also, watch out for Thorin."
After Gandalf whispered in Morgan's ear, he patted Morgan on the shoulder and strode towards the horse.
When passing by Thorin Oakenshield, he explained again.
When Gandalf got on his horse, he looked at everyone and warned loudly: "This is no longer the green forest it used to be."
"There is a river in the forest that is cursed by black magic. Remember not to touch the river water and walk on the stone bridge..."
"Also, the air in the forest may cause you to hallucinate and get lost."
"Keep following the road and remember not to stray from it."
"Because once you deviate, it will be difficult for you to find the right path again."
"Remember, no matter what happens, never leave the road!"
After Gandalf finished speaking, he turned and rode away.
Thorin Oakenshield led Morgan and his party into the dark forest.
