as it was once the most beautiful forest in all of Middle-Earth. In both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Mirkwood is home to the reclusive Wood-Elves, of which Legolas is a member.

It starts with a horizontal race through open space, then becomes a winding tiered stumble through a darkened forest ... continue reading my review of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug!

After successfully crossing over (and under) the Misty Mountains, Thorin and Company must seek aid from a powerful stranger before taking on the dangers of Mirkwood Forest--without their Wizard.