"You never said I could not use my Will." -Thorwen

Seasons came and went, and Thorwen passed from adolescence to the cusp of womanhood. During that time, she grew to love her new home and its people. They, in turn, loved her. At the age of sixteen, Thranduil returned Thorwen's ancestral blades and upon them, she swore herself to his service. She was given a place among the scouts of Legolas's company which patrolled the borders of the woodland realm. Outwardly, she looked no different to any other Dúnadan her age. But she spoke and moved like the Wood Elves, which was an advantage when the company came into contact with the Beornings or Woodmen. For Thorwen would raise her hood and none would know she was anything other than an Elf.

Elrond and the Elves of Rivendell wrote to her frequently and sent many gifts. And she rode often on Calithiel to hidden places in the forest where she would meet with her beloved brother in secret. But the threat of enemies was never far away, for Saruman had seen what Thorwen had done to the Orcs he had sent. He continued to use the Palantir to spy on her as he waited for another opportunity but never revealed to Sauron where Thorwen resided.

20th March/ Gwaeron 3016, The training ground, Woodland Realm, Mirkwood

Calenamath watched as Thorwen sparred with Bregwen, the Captain of the Hurscarls. He sniggered as she knocked Thorwen to the ground again. Thorwen lifted her head and spat out the dirt in her mouth. She got to her knees and took a breath. Bregwen extended a hand towards her. "You must have been brushing up on your dancing lessons, Dilthen Dúnadan. You almost had me then."

Thorwen smiled and clasped it as she got to her feet. "There is always a next time. Perhaps I will even best you."

"You are welcome to try, Hiril nín." They resumed sparring, but Bregwen was suddenly caught off guard, allowing Thorwen to gain the advantage.

Bregwen got to her feet. "Was that a tremor I detected, Hiril nín?"

Thorwen grinned and shrugged her shoulders. "You never said I could not use my Will."

"That is fair, Dilthen Dúnadan. We all have unique skills that will aid us against the enemy." The two of them shook hands and embraced.

Calenamath clapped slowly. "Well done, Thorwen. I think that will be enough for today. Celephinniel says you need to change for a recital in the Royal Gardens."

Thorwen rolled her eyes. "Can I not stay here and train rather than endure another dull recital?"

"If it were up to me, I would agree. However, Celephinniel insists you are present and I would not keep her waiting."

Thorwen handed her practice sticks to Bregwen, quickly picked up her things and set off toward the halls. "I had better make haste then," she called back. Calenamath gazed fondly as Thorwen ran off into the distance. Her waist-length braid entranced him as it swished behind her. Under his and Celephinniel's guidance, she had grown from a sullen child into a beautiful and elegant young woman. He could not be more proud of her.

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"You are going to be late, Hiril Nin. Lady Celephinniel is already waiting for you in the Gardens," said Golviel as she helped Thorwen change.

Thorwen winced as Golviel pulled a little too tight on the strings of her bodies."Ouch! where is Eressil? She is never too tight."

Golviel blushed and nervously loosened the strings. "My apologies, Hiril Nin. Eressil is on an urgent errand. Shall I re-braid your hair?"

"No, there is not enough time, and it is not too bad." Thorwen threw on a pale lilac gown and her dark green woollen cloak, then hurried to the door of her chamber.

"Hiril Nin, you are still wearing boots."

"The dress is long enough. No one will notice." Thorwen exited the chamber as Eressil rushed past her. "Eressil, where have you been?"

Eressil bowed. "Apologies, Hiril Nin. I had some urgent business to attend to." Then she rushed back into the chamber. Thorwen frowned as she watched her leave. But she continued her journey towards the great gates. She left the Royal apartments. Her boots made a light tap as she navigated the various walkways and passageways until she reached the great gates which were open. Sun streamed into the entrance tunnel, its rays bouncing off the guards' armour.

On seeing Thorwen, they bowed. "Mae Govannen, Thorwen Hiril Nin." she replied in kind as she passed them and made her way across the bridge. She glanced down the fast-flowing river far below her, then quickened her pace as she reached the other side. Turning to the right, Thorwen followed a narrow primrose-lined path that led to the royal gardens. These gardens were in the midst of the fruit orchards. The only thing the Wood Elves grew, were on trees or shrubs, they traded everything else for with the Men and Elves of surrounding lands.

Thorwen smiled as she passed through the dewy orchards. She could feel spring returning to the land. But as she neared the gates set within the high hedge surrounding the gardens, she had the feeling she was being watched. But shrugged it away, assuming it was a scout or guard high in the trees.

A solitary guard stood by the gates of the gardens. She bowed and greeted Thorwen before opening the gates to her. Thorwen could hear the gentle notes of a single harp being played as she entered the gardens. Which were made up of paths of little white pebbles. Ornamental trees intermingled with little rocky fountains where fresh water sprang from. She caught the scent of the magnolias on the breeze which had just come into bloom and stood admiring them for a moment. "Ah, Thorwen Hiril! There you are! You are late, come, the recital has already begun." Celephinniel's commanding voice and tug on her arm jolted Thorwen out of her thoughts.

"My apologies Celephinniel Hiril, I was at training and forgot the time."

Celephinniel linked arms with Thorwen as they walked. "I know where you were, but there is more to being a noble lady than playing with sticks. A delegation has arrived from Dorwinion and we are to make them welcome. Therefore, you are to take part in today's recital."

"Me? But I have nothing prepared!"

"I thought so, recite a few verses of the Lay of Leithian. You know it well enough." Celephinnel stopped and looked Thorwen up and down, tutting like a mother hen. She brushed down the wisps of her hair and shook her head. "Could not Eressil have re-braided it? and you are still wearing your boots," she scolded.

"Eressil was away on an errand. Only Golviel was in my chamber."

Celephinniel frowned. "I never sent her on an errand. That is the second time in as many moons. I shall have to have words with her." She stood back and brushed down Thorwen's dress. "Well, you will just have to do." Linking arms with Thorwen again, Celephinniel led Thorwen to a large gazebo where some nobles, Sindarin Elves mostly, sat on stone benches surrounding the small space in the centre. Which was occupied by a Sindarin Lady playing her harp. They both sat down on a vacant bench.

Next came a Silvan Elf who recited a rather monotonous poem of his own composition about leaves. His stanzas went on for so long Thorwen could feel her eyelids growing heavy until Celephinniel's elbow sharply nudged her in the ribs. At last, he came to an end and received some polite applause.

Celephinniel then stood and approached the centre. "Le Hannon, Lasdir. Your poetry is charming, as always." A couple of the nobles exchanged looks and sniggered as Lasdir resumed his seat. "Now our dear Lady Thorwen shall recite a few verses of the Lay of Leithian." A sea of smiling eyes followed Thorwen as she slowly rose and made her way to the centre. Knots formed in her stomach with every step. Celephinniel gave her a smile and a squeeze of the hand before returning to her seat.

Thorwen took a deep breath before she began. It was bad enough to attend, let alone having to recite herself, but Celephinniel claimed it was an important part of her training. "When Lord Aragorn is King of Gondor, he will send you north to restore Arnor and many hundreds will hang on your every word." Thorwen began well enough, confidently reciting the first few stanzas without missing a beat and she could see Celephinniel nodding approvingly. But as Thorwen scanned the audience, she noticed more people had arrived and were standing at the back of the Gazebo.

Two of them were elves with dark hair, bright blue eyes and darker skin like some of the Silvan, but their plumb-coloured robes and grape embroidery identified them as from Dorwinion. But standing with them were the king and Calenamath. The king did not show any emotion, but his pale blue eyes were firmly fixed upon Thorwen. She had not expected him to be present and her heart caught in her throat, causing her to pause. Calenamath beamed at her encouragingly.

Thorwen could feel the audience waiting expectantly for the next stanza. She glanced over to Celephinniel, who gave her a firm 'get on with it look'. Thorwen quickly composed herself and breathed a sigh of relief as she made a confident finish. The recital was well received by the audience and when she looked back at the king, he gave Thorwen a nod and a slight smile, then left with his companions. By then Calenamath had joined Celephinniel.

Once the recital was concluded, the three of them made their way back to the Elven Halls. "Our guests were very impressed with your recital," said Calenamath.

"Yes, despite that little wobble, you did very well, Thorwen," said Celephinniel.

"I was not expecting the king to be present. It caught me off guard a little," replied Thorwen.

Calenamath chuckled. "Well, I hope it will not surprise you tonight. We are all expected to attend a dinner with the king and our guests from Dorwinion."

They arrived at the Great Gates, where Calenamath took his leave and headed toward the lower levels of the Halls. Thorwen and Celephinniel returned to Thorwen's chamber. Upon entering, Eressil was busily arranging a bunch of magnolias in a vase at the dining table. "Who gave you permission to take those from the Royal Gardens?" demanded Celephinniel.

Eressil shook her head. "No one Hiril Nin. There was a knock at the door and when I opened it they were laying on the floor. I assumed someone had left them for Lady Thorwen, Hiril Nin."

"Very well, Eressil, but may I speak with you privately," Celephinniel gestured for Eressil to accompany her out of the chamber. Thorwen stood alone, admiring the vase of Magnolias and wondering who had left them.

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Soft music from a group of musicians drifted down from the gallery. It intermingled with the Friendly banter around the parlour as Thranduil, Legolas and Calenamath entertained their Dorwinion guests. "I say, Thranduil Aran, your halls are certainly impressive. It reminds me so much of the old tales of King Thingol."

Thranduil smirked as he sipped wine from his goblet. "You do me much honour with your praise of my halls, Lord Hyarno. But they are humble in comparison to the thousand caves of Menograth."

Calenamath took another sip of his own goblet. "This is a fine vintage. We shall certainly order more barrels of this." Thranduil nodded in agreement.

"It is one of our best, but sadly, one of our last. As I explained earlier, our people are dwindling. The increasing frequency of Orc attacks has resulted in the dwindling numbers of our folk, with many of them being taken or slain. We are merely Vinters, not warriors. Others have endured the fade."

"The fade? I always thought it was a story. Made up to encourage our kin to go into the West," said Legolas.

"Alas, Legolas. The fade is all too real. When our spirits become too strong, it will consume our bodies and we will fade from sight. It is the price those of us who remain in middle earth must accept," replied Thranduil.

"But you were born in the First Age Ada, you have not faded."

"Neither has the Lady Galadriel, and she is much older than I. The fade affects different Elves at different rates. It may not happen for hundreds or thousands of years, so I do not concern myself with it."

A mournful look crept across Lord Hyarno's bronze face. "Then you are fortunate, Thranduil Aran. A shadow is forming over my lands and the fade has quickened. My people have resolved to leave for the West. Our Realm shall fade and Dorwinion shall pass to the dominion of men."

"I am, of course, sorry to hear this, Hir Nin. We have enjoyed a wonderful friendship and trading relationship. I would, of course, be happy to offer hospitality to any of your people who may wish to remain. We are well-protected here."

"Your offer is most welcome. Some of my people may indeed wish to tarry awhile before travelling westward. But I must warn you, the shadow will reach even your realm. It has already touched the forest to the south. You cannot resist it forever. Your realm will one day fail as mine fails!"

Legolas got to his feet, his eyes ablaze. "Ada Nin has kept us safe for thousands of years! This realm shall prevail!"

"Legolas, compose yourself. Our guests have endured much and they only warn us out of concern. The hour is late and our guests return to Dorwinion in the morning. Let us go to our rest and part on merry terms in the morning," said Thranduil. He called for his attendants to show Lord Hyarno and his companion to their guest rooms. Before retiring himself. But he did not rest easy that night. For he knew in his heart it was only a matter of time before the shadow came for his own realm.