"Keep safe, Hiril Nin. Darkness is coming to this place. The Brotherhood is just the beginning." - Golviel

29th March/Gwaeron, 3017, The Elven Halls and Woodland Realm.

Thorwen rose wearily from her bed. Despite the previous day's events, she had hardly slept a wink. As her eyes grew accustomed to waking, the pale blonde, willowy shape of Faelnith stood smiling with Thorwen's bedrobe in her arms. "Mae Govannen, Thorwen Hiril nin," she chimed. A physical reminder that Eressil was gone.

Faelnith and her sister Merenthel were Celephinniel's maiden daughters. Now that Thorwen was the king's betrothed, their duties were to serve and to be her companions. Celephinniel had also assigned two other minor servants to her, called Fenil and Gelben. They were the daughters of high-ranking Silvan Elves who had remained loyal to the king. But there had been little time to meet them properly after recent events.

Thorwen had no stomach for breakfast, deciding instead to prepare for Rodon's burial. Faelnith and Merenthel accompanied her as she made her way to the Great Doors. Celephinniel joined them along the way, the rustle of their black silk robes the only sound as they traversed the walkways. Upon reaching the Doors, Thranduil, Legolas, Aragorn and Gandalf were waiting, flanked by the Huscarls. Calenamath had a more unpleasant duty to attend to.

The burial ground was in a secluded grove on the forest's eastern border. There were no grave markers, just a circle of large green mounds. They were the mass graves of Elven Warriors who had been slain in the battle of Five Armies. Their grieving families were left with two choices. Remain in the Woodland realm, forever parted from their loved ones. Or to make the journey west, to Mithlond and take a ship to Valinor where their family members would be returned to them, re-housed in new bodies.

But the journey west was one way. The only Elf who had ever returned to Middle Earth was Glorfindel. Thranduil had granted Rodon a place among the mounds of the slain and seven days of mourning. A fitting honour for all he had done in his brief life. Rodon's flower-drenched body lay on a stretcher as the Wood Elves prepared a green grave to receive him. When the grave was ready, Aragorn stepped forward to say a few words. "Rodon, you shall be greatly missed. Halbarad and your comrades shall mourn your passing most bitterly. A Ranger's life is fraught with danger. That is why we leave without saying goodbye. Unless we believe we may not return."

Thorwen led the company in a lament as the Elves gently lay Rodon in his grave. It was the same song Gilraen had sung at the funeral of her family all those years ago. But she remembered every word. A single tear fell down her cheek and onto Rodon's body as she placed her last remaining flower. As the company walked away from the graveside, Thorwen saw a figure shrouded in a dark green cloak weeping by a solitary newly dug grave. Curious, she approached and was surprised to find the mourner was no other than Golviel.

"I know what she did was wrong, but she was Mellon nin since our Elfing days. I am leaving, Hiril nin. With the Chieftain of the Rangers, across the mountains to Rivendell and beyond. I do not know how long it will take me, but I want to be there for Eressil when she is rehoused and let her know I forgive her."

"Tell her I forgive her too," replied Thorwen. Golviel nodded and handed Thorwen the last flower she had in her hand. Thorwen smiled and laid the flower on the grave. "Lothron cin rad- sídh Mandos Eressil," she whispered.

"Thorwen!" Thranduil's anxious voice caught her attention. She knew she had tarryed too long.

As Thorwen turned to join him, Golviel caught her arm. Her tear-stained eyes, fearful."Keep safe, Hiril Nin. Darkness is coming to this place. The Brotherhood is just the beginning."

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Thorwen, Celephinniel and Legolas sat in silent reflection with Thranduil in his parlour. Food and drink, including the king's favourite vintage, remained unconsumed on the low-lying tables before them. Padir's voice from the campaign chamber caught everyone's attention and shortly after, the head attendant showed Gandalf into the Parlour.

"Is Lord Aragorn not with you, Mithrandir?" asked Thranduil.

Gandalf shook his head. "He has taken his leave, as has Golviel and some of her kinfolk."

Thranduil nodded sadly. "It always pains me when our people decide to leave us. But may they find peace at the end of their long journey."

"Sadly, I must take my leave of you also, King Thranduil."

"That is ill news indeed. Have you finished interrogating the creature?"

"I have gained all that I can from him. Now I must make my way to the Shire." He then turned his attention to Thorwen. "Might I trouble you to escort me as far as the Great Doors, my lady?"

Thorwen beamed at him. "Oh course, Mithrandir, I would be happy to." She rose and took his arm.

"Your pony and trap will be waiting for you in the Royal stables," called Thranduil. Gandalf thanked him and Padir showed them out of the king's chambers. They made small talk until they reached the Great Doors where Gandalf said his farewells. "There is but one service I would ask of you, my lady. Take care of Sméagol for me. I had to be a little hard on him. But I also believe that with the right.... treatment, he may yet recover."

"I shall do all I can....... Olorin."

Gandalf gave her a wink. "You remember me then?" he whispered.

"A little..."

As he turned away Thorwen heard him speak to her mind."Farewell dear Almarie, I don't suppose you have heard from your brother of late?"

"Only in my dreams. He is too afraid to come in person."

"Pity, you may well need his help when the time comes."

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The sky was moonless; stars provided the only light as Thranduil and Calenamath led the company through the forest. But there was enough light for what needed to be done. The time had come to cleanse the realm of the blight that had seeped in. Calenamath had scouted a suitable place, far enough from the Elven way to prevent the condemned from escaping and close enough for the rest of them to get safely back to the realm.

Thorwen and Legolas followed closely behind. Bregwen and the rest of the Huscarls dragged the condemned. Six in all including, Daedor. Bound, blindfolded, and attached to a long rope. When they arrived at the hollow, Thranduil noted there were already a couple of webs present. "This is the place," whispered Calenamath. Thranduil gave a silent command, and the condemned were forced to kneel in the lowest part of the hollow. All of them expected to be beheaded. Then the company retreated to a safe distance.

Daedor, still arrogant to the last, demanded to be allowed a final speech. Thranduil smirked as he looked at the two huge webs before him. "You may speak as freely as you wish, Daedor. The spiders do love a noisy meal." Carefully, he stroked the silk of the web with his fingers as one might play the harp, with just enough movement to alert the foul beasts. Daedor and the rest of the condemned tried to wriggle free, but the ropes binding them held firm. Not only would the spiders take care of the traitors, but with their bellies full, they should leave the residents of Mirkwood alone for quite some time.

As soon as Thranduil heard the vile arachnids approaching, he called out. "Noro! Noro!" and the company sprinted away. The king followed close behind. Screams of the traitors echoed through the forest as the giant spiders came upon them. But they were helpless against their eight-legged executioners.

Thranduil breathed a sigh of relief as the company returned to the safety of the realm. They had completed their unsavoury mission unscathed. He grasped Thorwen's hand, and she smiled at him reassuringly. But when they reached the bridge of the Halls, Calenamath stopped. "I can go no further."

"Muindor, surely you will rest now, at least for a few days," replied Thranduil.

Thorwen looked at him with despairing eyes. "But you cannot leave again. The traitors are no longer a threat."

"The realm will never be safe until we destroy the viper's nest," Calenamath stated firmly, with a thin smile as he glanced at their entwined hands. Until I destroy the source of our troubles, I will not return. The temple can only be sabotaged from within. Keep a watch for my signal upon the hill of our Halls, Muindor. That will be the time to strike!" He bowed low, took his leave of them, and disappeared into the darkness.

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30th March/Gwaeron, 3017, The Cells of the Elven Halls.

The Captain of the keys nervously led Thorwen to Gollum's cell. "Are you sure the King has approved this?"

Thorwen cast him an icy glare. "Are you doubting my authority, Captain?"

"I do not doubt you, Hiril Nin. It is just that this prisoner is particularly dangerous. I would not like to incur the king's wrath should any harm come to you." His keys jangled as he unlocked and unbarred the door. "Perhaps I should come in with you, Hiril Nin. In case he..."

"That will not be necessary, Captain. But if you could bring me some fruit along with his midday meal, I would be very grateful. Leave the hatch open, any sign of trouble call out and the guards will come to your aid." and opened the door of the cell for Thorwen.

Once inside, she heard the bar being replaced. A small lamp from the ceiling now provided the only light in the cell. But it was bright enough to ensure that Gollum had no dark spaces in which to hide. The creature himself was crouched in a corner facing the wall, muttering to himself. Although his neck chain had been removed, she could still hear the clanking of the leg manacles as he moved. At the sound of the shutting door, he slowly turned and, on seeing Thorwen, broke out into a broad grin.

"Pretty Precious, much honour you do me with your visit." He padded up to her, his eyes wide and pitiful.

Thorwen knew he would try to seek her favour and this she could use to her advantage. "Good morning, Sméagol. Mithrandir has asked me to attend to your needs while you are here. Make things a little more comfortable for you."

At this, Gollum wailed about the conditions the Elves kept him in. "They keep me chained up, and the lamp is on all the time, Pretty Precious. Questionsis, over and over again, and where is my fish?"

They heard the door being unbarred again, and the captain entered with two bowls, one containing Gollum's fish and the other a bunch of red grapes. The captain placed the bowl of fish on the floor before handing the grapes to Thorwen. "Is this suitable, Hiril Nin?" Thorwen thanked him and the captain backed out of the cell. "I will be just outside if you have need of me." He then exited the cell and barred the door.

Thorwen leaned against the wall of the cell, carefully consuming her grapes one by one, whilst Gollum greedily demolished his fish. When he had finished, he looked at Thorwen curiously. "What is that?"

"Oh, just some grapes. You are welcome to try one if you wish. You might like them." She picked one out of the bowl and offered it to him. Slowly, Gollum padded over to her, his spindly fingers reaching out, then snatched the fruit from her. He then scuttled back to the other end of his cell, where she could hear him chewing and sputtering.

"Eeewwww ugh! You are trying to poison me, nasty shiny princess, nasty Pretty Precious." And he spat the remains of the grapes on the floor.

Thorwen chuckled. "They are not poisonous, Sméagol, and would do you a lot of good if you got used to them."

Gollum's eyes narrowed, and he approached her again. "Give me another grape."

Thorwen held out the bowl to him. "Why don't you have the rest of them?" Gollum took the bowl from her. Still suspicious, he backed away, but not to the other side of the cell. And very slowly, he examined each grape before chewing it and spitting out the seed.

"You are not getting them back, Pretty Precious!" he said between mouthfuls. "Those Elfsis, treat you like a queen."

"They are just being courteous."

"But I hears the kitchen Elfsis, they say, nasty Elf King fed the bad Elfsis to the spiders and now he will wed the Pretty Precious!" He drew himself closer to Thorwen again.

"That will not happen for a good while yet, Sméagol. In the meantime, I wish to help you, if you will let me."

Gollum wailed and threw himself about his cell. "When Pretty Precious weds nasty Elf King, she will leave poor Sméagol all alone! And then the nasty Elf King will have poor lonely Sméagol taken to the forest and eaten by the spiders!"

"Don't be silly, Sméagol. King Thranduil promised Mithrandir he would keep you safe. I shall still visit you every day and take you for walks in the evenings. Just because you are currently a prisoner does not mean you need to remain one forever. Mithrandir believes in you, and so do I."

Gollum's eyes grew wide and there seemed to be a glimmer of hope in them. "The grey wizard believes in me? I want to be good, Pretty Precious, I want to be good."

Thorwen smiled. "Well, that is a start, Sméagol. I must take my leave of you now, but I will return this evening to take you for a walk with your guards. And the better you behave, the more privileges I can give you." She tapped on the cell door and the captain unbarred it.

After she exited, the captain barred and locked the door. "At least you are in one piece. He normally attacks anyone who goes in there."

"Well, now that I am in charge of his rehabilitation, I would like him given fruit along with his fish. Grapes will be a good start and perhaps other fruit further down the line. Also, I would like the leather smith to create a collar that can be attached to Elven rope. We will start taking him for walks tonight after dark and slowly draw him back into the daylight."

The captain stroked his chin. "These are very ambitious plans, Hiril Nin, but I will see it done."

True to her word, Thorwen returned that evening and took Gollum out for exercise in the company of his guards. They even allowed him to climb one of the Oak trees for a short while. Thorwen was confident that with patience and time, she could return this creature to some sort of humanity. But later that night, after she had returned to her chambers, Gollum shook and whimpered in his sleep. The Captain of the keys looked into his cell but saw nothing untoward.

But in his dreams, Gollum was reliving his torture in Mordor. However, this time, the Dark Lord's questions were different. "Tell me all you have learned within the Elven Halls!" and quivering with fear, Gollum obeyed.