25th July, 2941 [The Hobbit]
- Gandalf leaves and the remaining company enters Mirkwood
“Good-bye then, and really good-bye!” said Gandalf, and he turned his horse and rode down into the West. But he could not resist the temptation to have the last word. Before he had passed quite out of hearing he turned and put his hands to his mouth and called to them. They heard his voice come faintly: “Good-bye! Be good, take care of yourselves-and DON’T LEAVE THE PATH!”
[The Hobbit, Chapter 7: Queer Lodgings]
Now began the most dangerous part of all the journey.
They each shouldered the heavy pack and the water-skin which was their share, and turned from the light that lay on the lands outside and plunged into the forest.
[The Hobbit, Chapter 7: Queer Lodgings]
