Author's note: Please note the Wizards are using their Middle Earth and Valinor names during their conversation many characters in the Tolkien Universe have more than one name depending on who they are conversing with. i.e. Saruman/Curumo, Gandalf/Olorin

"But how well you answer my questions will determine what kind of cell you will spend the rest of your life in." - King Thranduil

21st August/Urui T.A 3004 The Elven Halls

The Great doors of the Elven Halls closed behind them with an ominous clang. Aragorn glanced nervously at Gandalf. The old wizard smiled reassuringly. "You are not concerned, are you?"

"I am no stranger to Mirkwood, but I have always conducted my business in the forest." Aragorn had never had the need to visit the Elven Halls before. And even though the Elven king welcomed them with honour, Aragorn was more than a little nervous.

The guards escorted them down a long large tunnel lit with red torches. The walls of the tunnels were carved with woodland scenes as if the forest above was being duplicated below. Every so often, passageways lead from the main tunnel off into other caverns in the Halls. The main tunnel opened out into a magnificent chamber. There were huge pillars of living stone that looked more like the great beeches along the Elven path through Mirkwood.

The Guards showed them into the throne room. King Thranduil of the Wood Elves awaited them upon his throne, carved from two enormous elk antlers. He was wearing a fine robe of dark green, trimmed with silver thread and his crown of leaves was decorated with woodland flowers. His long white blonde hair was typical of an Elven Lord of the Sinda. Standing by his side, his son Prince Legolas was the very image of his father.

Thranduil stood when he saw his visitors and they exchanged pleasantries before Thranduil turned to Aragorn. "My guards say you have come to me for assistance. How may I be of service to you?"

"We come with grave news concerning my cousin Lord Beren of Duincar of whom you were acquainted."

"I know of him, yes, though my brother and son had personal dealings with him. He passed through Mirkwood with news occasionally. Though rarely have we seen rangers in these parts of late."

"Has something happened to Beren?" asked Legolas.

"Alas, Beren, his household and village are no more. Orcs attacked Duincar under the command of the Temple of Morgoth. They killed everyone they could find."

Legolas looked distraught. "This is grim news indeed. Beren was a good friend. It grieves me to think that he and his family were wiped out so cruelly."

"Fortunately, not all of his family were slain, Legolas. His daughter, Anberenien, escaped unharmed. She is living in Rivendell under the Guardianship of Lord Elrond, who is raising her as his own," said Gandalf.

"That must be a comfort to you, Aragorn. There are few left of the royal line of Elendil these days," said Thranduil.

"Alas, Anberenien and I are all that is left of the direct line."

"My condolences at the loss of your family, Aragorn. But why do you come to me for help? You could have sent us this information by messenger."

"We come seeking information of a delicate nature. Hence, a messenger could not be trusted," said Gandalf.

"We have learned that the objective of the attack was to abduct Anberenien in the confusion and take her to an enclave in the Emyn Duir," said Aragorn. "We came to you for any knowledge you may have on this enclave."

Thranduil and Legolas exchanged looks. The king sat back upon his throne, his expression like the living stone of his halls. "I see. How did you discover this information?" Aragorn explained what he had learned from the children as the king and Legolas listened intently. When he had finished, Thranduil rose from the throne and paced the dais.

"Until recently, small groups of my Silvan people still lived in the Dark mountains. But Orcs attacked them under the command of a group wearing strange black cloaks. Most were killed or captured. But a few escaped and came to us for sanctuary. The Beornings called upon us for aid when Orcs attacked their villages and reported strangers in the Mirkwood wearing black cloaks. Now this attack on your Kinfolk, Aragorn. These black cloaks carry some enchantment, making their wearers tricky to capture for interrogation. And on the rare opportunity we have apprehended them, they are quick to take their own lives."

A blast from a horn interrupted the audience. Aragorn turned to see a unit of scouting elves entering the throne room. They were captained by a Sinda Elf who looked very similar to the Elven king and brought a male prisoner with them. He was bound, blindfolded and wore a strange black cloak. Thranduil gave the Elf captain a furious look. "Calenamath! what is the meaning of this interruption?"

Calenamath bowed low to Thranduil. "Pardon the intrusion, Brother. But we intercepted some spies in our realm, close to where Elflings were playing by the river shallows. Most of them escaped back across our borders, apart from this one. We thought it best to bring him straight to you."

Thranduil seemed unnerved at this news. He breathed in deeply as he composed himself. "The Elflings? Are they safe? How did this prisoner and his company get past our enchantments and defences?"

"All are safe and accounted for," replied Calenamath.

The king breathed a sigh of relief, but his angry eyes fixed themselves upon the prisoner kneeling before the Dais. "It seems providence is with us today, Aragorn. How fortunate Prince Calenamath has captured one of those we both seek alive. And on the day of your visit. Remove the prisoner's blindfold!" Calenamath obeyed Thranduil's command.

The prisoner had dark wavy hair, brown eyes and olive skin. He wore a black cloak that covered a simple black robe. He did not bow his head, but held himself erect and looked straight at Thranduil with an arrogant expression. "So this is the King of the Elves, still hiding in your caves like the coward you are."

Thranduil walked around the prisoner, silently observing him.

"Are you trying to goad me into executing you, prisoner? It will not work. You are more useful to me alive. But how well you answer my questions will determine what kind of cell you will spend the rest of your life in."

A smirk slowly crept across the prisoner's face. "I will answer none of your questions, but I have a message for the Dúnadan."

"You know who I am?" asked Aragorn.

The prisoner turned to Aragorn. "Of course, your people are our Master's greatest enemy. But he would seek peace, even with you. If you would deliver to him a small gift. A token of peace and goodwill to Lord Sauron the Great."

Something in the way he spoke made Aragorn feel uncomfortable. "And what token does the Dark Lord seek in return for peace?"

A thin smile crawled across the prisoner's face. "The silver-eyed maiden, born from the line of Kings. The Great Master claims her as his own. A king's bounty he has promised to the one who would deliver her alive to him."

Aragorn's eyes grew wide, and his nostrils flared. Snarling, he got eye-to-eye with the prisoner, gritting his teeth as he spoke. "And what does the Dark Lord want with such a Maiden?"

"He desires to take her as his queen and she will sit at his right hand!"

There was shock around the throne room at his words.

Aragorn recoiled in horror. "Never! What you ask for is abhorrent. My people would rather die than agree to such a demand!"

The prisoner let out a hearty laugh. "For now, but our people grow in number the day. Many are turning to our cause. We at the Temple of Melkor accept all who would serve him. The Great Master would award you a place of honour among his ranks were you to deliver this maiden to him. Serve the Great Master! Give him your gift! And you shall have greatness beyond your comprehension. But if you resist him, you and your people shall be destroyed as an example to those who would stand between the Great Master and his property!"

Impulse overtook Aragorn, and he went to attack the prisoner, but the Elves stopped him. "Only the King may decide his fate," said Calenamath.

Thranduil glanced at Calenamath, then back at the prisoner. He then bombarded the prisoner with many questions. "What business do you have in my realm? How did you and your companions slip past my defences and enchantments? Why were you spying on the Elflings? And how did your companions escape?" He asked the questions over and over again, but the prisoner remained silent.

Exasperated, Thranduil ordered the prisoner to be taken away and kept in the deepest and darkest of his cells. However, the prisoner gave him one last broad smile before foaming at the mouth and falling to the floor in convulsions. "Send for the healers. Do not let him die!" ordered Thranduil. But despite the Elves' best efforts, the prisoner lay dead on the floor of the throne room.

"Look at his cloak," Gandalf cried out in alarm. But before they could touch the garment, it faded to nothing as if it were a shadow.

"Did you not search him when you captured him?" demanded Thranduil.

"We did, but he must have concealed poison in his mouth," replied Calenamath.

Aragorn had seen this before. "When I was in Rhûn. I came to know of the Temple of Morgoth. They create those cloaks using dark sorcery and use them for ill purpose. The Dark Lord uses his priests to convert and control the enslaved peoples to his will. Torture, indoctrination and tainting with their subtle poisons are all methods of their corruption. Now they come to spread their dark message to the free peoples."

Thranduil sneered as he looked down at the corpse. "Next time search their mouths, that we might prevent an escape through death. Increase the border patrols! I must discover how they were able to enter my realm unhindered. All Elflings are to remain within the eyesight of their parents!" Thranduil returned to his throne. "This is morgul work. But before we attack, I must know all I can of these priests hiding in the Dark Mountains. Calenamath, send the best scouts immediately!" Calenamath bowed as he and his scouts removed the body from the throne room.

Aragorn was keen to seek assurance from Thranduil that he would keep the whereabouts of Anberenien secret. Thranduil obliged, stating that he would do all he could to ensure that no one from his realm would betray her on pain of death. After a couple of days' rest, Aragorn and Gandalf left the Elven Halls to return to Rivendell, satisfied with all they had learned.

-------------------------------------------

20th September/ Ivanneth T.A 3004 The Tower of Orthanc, Isengard

High in the Blackstone Tower of Orthanc, Saruman looked out the window and smiled as he saw the Grey wizard pulling up outside and dismounting his pony cart. Quite why Gandalf demeaned himself by travelling in such a manner was beyond him. "How convenient," he muttered. He knew exactly why Gandalf had come. Sauron had informed him during their conversation over the Palantir. He was furious that the priests had failed their mission. There was no way he was going to admit he, too, had failed thanks to Gandalf's interference. Saruman and a couple of his trusted Uruk-Hai had been meters away from Beren and the child. Then Gandalf and Elrond turned up and spoiled everything.

Now he was here, bringing with him the expected bad news and to seek his counsel no doubt. He assumed Anberenien was safely installed in Rivendell and perhaps this may yet present him with another opportunity to have the child brought to Orthanc. Of course, she was only a child in the physical sense. But soon her Will would manifest and possibly her memories too. He must have her in his possession before then. Anberenien's skills would be of great use to him when searching for the ring. Quickly, Saruman covered the Palantir and came out of Orthanc to meet Gandalf.

"Olorin, long has it been since your last visit. It must be a matter of some importance to bring you here."

Gandalf leaned upon his staff. "Greetings Curumo, old friend. Alas, I bring ill news." Of course, he did. Why else would he be here? But now Saruman had an opportunity to confirm his suspicions and sow new seeds.

Saruman guided Gandalf away from the tower. "Let us walk among the gardens together." Gandalf related all that had occurred during the attack on Duincar and Saruman listened like a concerned friend.

"This is grave news indeed, Olorin, but can we really be sure Almárie is safe, even with Lord Elrond? What will happen when she becomes aware of her true nature? What if she has the power to slip out of Imladris undetected? The Dark Lord has many spies. He might even set a watch on its outskirts, ready to snatch her at the first opportunity." He was well aware of the temple's tactics. They would not give up, especially as Nuta had set her sights on Anberenien's bounty.

"That is why I came to you. She may not be of our order, but she is of our kin. And we must do all we can to help her."

"Whatever her mission is to be, surely it cannot be until she reaches mortal maturity. Until then, I would be more than happy to foster Almárie." Saruman frowned enviously as Gandalf drew out his pipe and lit it. "Do you have to smoke that thing in my presence?"

"No, but it helps me to think."

Saruman rolled his eyes. "Olorin, surely you can see that I have Almárie's best interests at heart. I could teach her, guide her so that she can master her Will and keep her safe from Sauron's clutches. Then, when she remembers who she really is and the nature of her mission. I will provide her with all the assistance and counsel she will need."

Gandalf blew smoke rings that turned into flying crows. "I wonder," he whispered.

The nature of Gandalf's rather clever smoke rings unnerved him. He had known nothing of the Temple's plans to attack Duincar. Had he known, he would have tried to prevent it. He had planned to take the child swiftly and quietly. Only Beren needed to have died.

Gandalf finished his pipe. "Your offer is very generous, Saruman. I will, of course, discuss it with Lord Elrond on my next visit to Rivendell."

Saruman smiled. "I am glad you see the wisdom of it. Let us hope Lord Elrond will be equally wise."

As Gandalf took his leave of Isengard, Saruman remained long enough to ensure he was safely through the gates before returning to the tower.