"What about your duties to me? You promised the Grey Wizard you would look after me. But you left me all alone!" - Gollum.

A year passed and there were no further threats to the realm, but Thranduil, Thorwen and the Wood Elves were ever mindful that this was only the calm before the storm. As per Calenamath's instructions, Thranduil set a watch on the hill above the Elven Halls. But no sign from him had yet come. Legolas patrolled the borders even more thoroughly than before and passed information he had learned from their allies, the Beornings, to his father.

Thorwen made progress in rehabilitating Gollum. Encouraging him to try apples and to walk in the twilight part of the day. During his walks, he had a favourite oak tree he would climb that became known as Doron Gollum or Gollum's Oak. But as the King's Betrothed, her responsibilities to Thranduil and the realm took precedence, and her visits to the creature became less frequent.

20th June/Nórui, 3018, The Woodland Realm.

Summer arrived in all its splendour and Thorwen sat by the shallows of the Forest River. She was wearing only her linen undershift and dangling her feet in the cooling water. Her dark brown hair flowed long and loose as Merenthel wove flowers into it. Faelnith placed a garland of forest flowers upon her head. A few Elflings who were playing in the water splashed them playfully. Thorwen splashed them in return. Then, to her ladies' surprise, she slipped into the water and joined in their game.

Thranduil sat under his Pavillion, his eyes playfully following her as he sipped his wine. He downed his goblet, stood up, and strode to the riverbank. "What do we have here, Thorwen Hiril Nin, less eagle, more drowned maiden, I see?"

Thorwen turned from the Elflings and stood in the water, smiling up at him. The garland of flowers was as drenched as her undershift, which clung to her womanly curves. "Tis a hot day, Hir Aran Nin. I was merely cooling off."

Thranduil's bright blue eyes burned as he appraised her figure. "It Is indeed hot, even for this time of year and the sun is not yet at its peak."

Thorwen could see the soft blush upon his cheeks. She knew what he desired. But they would have to wait another year, at least before they could be as one. And even when Thorwen was of age for a Dunadan to wed, they had promised Lord Elrond to wait until Arwen was Aragorn's queen.

Thorwen beckoned Thranduil into the water with a mischievous grin. "You should join us, Melleth nin. The water is cool and refreshing."

Thranduil frowned, but his eyes revealed his yearning. "Alas, Melleth Nin, it has been centuries since I have ventured into those waters. It would not be seemly for the King to be frolicking about in the river."

Thorwen glided towards the bank like a water nymph. Entrancing him with her silvery gaze. "Well, if Hir Aran Nin cannot enter the water, then perhaps the water will have to come to Hir Aran Nin," and splashed water upon his robes. Surrendering to her spell, he dispensed with his outer robes tossing them to the ground. Once Thranduil was down to his undershift, Thorwen pulled him into the water and to her waiting lips. Then they both rejoined the Elfling water combat until both were drenched through.

Suddenly, Thorwen lost her footing, slipping into deeper water where the current was stronger. But Thranduil swiftly pulled her into his embrace and, after Thorwen had recovered herself, they enjoyed the moment's bliss. Thorwen had never been so close to Thranduil's body before and a strange heat of desire grew within her. She could also feel the same heat radiating from him. Their wet linen shifts, the only protection from each other's yearnings.

Thranduil grinned back at her. "Such thoughts are perfectly natural, Thorwen."

She shuddered for a moment, remembering how Sauron had attempted to force himself on her in the unseen.

"You do not need to worry Melleth Nin, however much I want us to be as one, I would never take you to wife by force. Such an act is abhorrent to me. And even after we are wed. I swear to you we will only join when you are ready. I am a patient king and even more patient a husband." Thorwen smiled, knowing that Thranduil not only loved but honoured and respected her. She kissed him and he returned hers more passionately.

"Enjoying yourselves, I see?" Legolas' voice cut the moment like a knife.

Thranduil rolled his eyes. "I told you, we were not to be disturbed. What do you want?"

Legolas' tone grew serious. "Alas Adar, The Beornings send news of Temple priests trying to kidnap their children in recent days. Now, some of our Elflings are unaccounted for, their parents are frantic."

Concern etched its way across Thranduil's face. "Thorwen, go to Bregwen and form a search party with the Huscarls. I will take some of the palace guards. They can't have gone too far, but I do not wish to take any chances where our young ones are concerned." They returned to the shore, where Faelnith and Merenthel met them with linen towels and woollen blankets. Both then hurried to their respective pavilions.

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The Huscarls had been searching all day. Now the sun was gone, and the sky was a bright sapphire. The stars glistened brightly against it, a sight most beloved by the Wood Elves. But no one was in the mood to enjoy the evening. Thorwen rode Calithiliel alongside Bregwen as they called out for the missing Elflings. Bregwen looked up at the sky. "I have a bad feeling, as if the shadow has come at last. We should return to the Halls."

"But the search horn has not been blown."

"My feelings are never wrong, Hiril Nin. We should return to the Halls. You are the King's Betrothed and Mellon Nin. I will never forgive myself should something happen to you."

Thorwen sighed. "Very well, Mellon Nin, we shall return. But we shall continue to look for the Elflings on the way."

Thorwen agreed, and Bregwen gave the command to return. As they called out, two little voices responded and three young Elflings came down from the trees. They explained they had been on the Elven way and thought they had seen an Orc. So they had taken fright and hid in the trees. "Well, you are safe now. Lady Thorwen and I will take you back to the Elven Halls where your parents are waiting," said Bregwen.

The Huscarls scooped up the relieved Elflings onto their horses and blew a horn, hearing a reply a few moments later. Then the company rode back toward the Elven Halls. As they neared the great mound, the company came across Gollum's Oak. He was up in the highest branches and his guards were trying to coax him down.

The Captain of the keys breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Thorwen. "Hiril Nin, it is fortunate you have come upon us this evening. Gollum is not cooperating. Normally we can tempt him down with some fish, but tonight he is refusing even that. Perhaps if you speak with him, he will comply."

"Of course, I would be happy to," replied Thorwen.

"We need to return to the Halls," Bregwen urged.

"You go on ahead then. I shall come on after."

"Baw Hiril Nin, the others can go on ahead. I will not leave you unescorted." She then sent the rest of the Huscarls onwards with the young Elflings.

After the Huscarls rode away, Thorwen heard Gollum's voice high above in the trees. "The Pretty Precious, she comes, she is here!"

When Thorwen dismounted Calithiliel, she gave out a neigh and a whinny, as if uneasy. Thorwen patted her on the nuzzle. "It is alright girl, we shall not stop for long." She then walked up to the trunk of Gollum's Oak. Although it was dark, the guard's red torches allowed her to see Gollum's silhouette moving about in the upper branches. "Sméagol, it is Lady Thorwen. Will you not come down and speak with me?"

Shortly, Gollum's two saucer eyes peered at her from above. "Pretty Precious, long time no see. I have been all alone in my cell. No visits, no walks, Pretty Precious. I have been all alone."

"Nonsense," called the captain. "We take you out every day without fail."

"But she doesn't! She left me alone with all the nasty Elvesis."

Thorwen tried to reason with him. "I am the king's betrothed, Sméagol. I have duties...."

"What about your duties to me? You promised the Grey Wizard you would look after me. But you left me all alone!"

"I left you in the very capable hands of the captain of the keys and he sent me regular reports on your progress. You have been doing very well of late. Why are you doing this now?"

Suddenly, they heard three long horn blasts. "That means Orcs have invaded the Realm, but how? The King's powers of protection should keep them at bay!" said Bregwen.

Thorwen unsheathed her blades. "Now is not the time to concern ourselves with that." She called up again to Gollum. "Sméagol, you must come immediately. There are Orcs in the Realm."

But Gollum still refused to descend. The sound of galloping hooves heralded the arrival of Legolas and his scouting company. "Thorwen, there you are. Ada was concerned when you and Bregwen did not return with the Huscarls. He sent me to find you and escort you back to the Halls."

"You should go, Hiril Nin. We will climb up and bring Gollum down if necessary," said the captain of the keys.

Reluctantly, Thorwen mounted Calithiliel and joined Legolas' company. Bregwen remained as an extra sword. They galloped back with all haste along the Elven Way but as the lights of the red torches leading the way to the great mound. They paused for a moment as they heard Orcish screams and the clashing of blades. "Bregwen and the others are in trouble. We should go back and help them!" cried Thorwen in alarm.

"We will assist them as soon as you have re-joined Ada," replied Legolas. But before Thorwen could argue, a blood-curdling rasp came from behind. Orcs ambushed the company from all sides. Thorwen went to unsheath her blades when several clawing hands pulled her from Calithiliel. She landed hard on the ground, Orc's swarming over her, their blades at her throat as they tried to pull her to standing.

Thorwen closed her eyes and focused her will, hoping she would not harm Legolas and the scouts in the process. The ground beneath her feet trembled as Thorwen unleashed her Will upon her assailants. Orcs flew into the air like rag dolls and those still on their feet fled in terror. Legolas and his scouts were also knocked to the ground, but were otherwise unharmed. It was only after the company had slain all the remaining Orcs that they realised all their horses, including Calithiliel, had taken flight.

"That was close, and so many of them too. If it were not for you, Thorwen, we may well have been overrun," said Legolas. Thorwen felt a wave of lightheadedness as she got back on her feet, but brushed it aside. Then the company heard another horn blast. This time, it was three short blasts from the direction they had just come from. "Prisoner escape. It must be Gollum."

"Then we must go back. We cannot abandon the guards if they are calling for aid," replied Thorwen.

"Ada's orders were to bring you back to the Halls."

"And we cannot abandon our people when they call for aid!"

Legolas seemed torn but finally agreed Thorwen was right. Maintaining their vigilance, the company retraced their steps back to Gollum's Oak. But when the company finally reached the tree, they were met with a devastating sight. The bodies of Gollum's guards, including the captain lay strewn about. But neither Bregwen nor Gollum were anywhere to be seen.

A cough from the Captain alerted Legolas that he was still alive. Legolas and Thorwen ran over to assist him. Groggily, he relayed what had happened. "Orcs attacked us and Gollum managed to slip away during the melee. A strange thorn hit me in the neck. When I came to, the rest of the guards, including Bregwen, were either taken or slain."

"Which way did they go?" asked Thorwen. The captain managed to point out the way, and Thorwen unsheathed her blades and marched off in that direction. Legolas called out to her, but she continued walking. After ordering his scouts to return the captain to the Halls. Legolas grabbed a red torch and caught up with her.

"Thorwen! what are you doing?"

"I'm going after them. I will not leave Bregwen at the mercy of those Orcs!"

"Bregwen can take care of herself. It's the Orcs who should be afraid."

"Not if she is incapacitated. She will need our help."

By now, the night was at its zenith, and the trees cast eerie shadows in the light of Legolas' red torch. Legolas examined the ground to see which direction the Orcs may have gone in. "This way!" he called and Thorwen followed closely behind. They moved carefully, taking note of anything that might tell them which way the Orcs had gone. But there was nothing.

Legolas looked grim."We have to turn back Thorwen..... there is no sign of them." Suddenly, there was a noise like something had dropped behind them. They turned to see Gollum crouched in the undergrowth.

"You are safe, Pretty Precious. There were Orcsis everywhere and Sméagol was afraid."

Legolas threw his Elven rope over Gollum's head and pulled the creature towards him. "NO! please! Elfsis! Pretty Precious, please! Sméagol was only scared and ran away from the Orcsis!" He wailed.

Legolas grabbed Gollum by the scruff and held a white handled knife to his throat. "Tell us what happened to Bregwen!"

Gollum looked at Thorwen with pitiful eyes. "Don't let him hurt me, Pretty Precious, please!"

"Then tell us where the Orcs took Bregwen!"

"Orcsis took the lady Elf away to black river. They have boatsis, Pretty Precious."

"I hope you are telling us the truth, Gollum. Else you will be in even more trouble when we return to the Elven Halls," said Legolas.

"He was afraid, Legolas. I do not think he meant to run. Did you, Sméagol?"

Gollum shook his head furiously. "Oh no, Pretty Precious. Sméagol would not run from the Pretty Precious."

Legolas frowned. "I still do not trust him," he muttered. Then suddenly he put his hand to his neck as if bitten by an insect and pulled out a small thorn. "What is this?"