"My people lie in wait and will find you soon enough! Then you will learn how persuasive I can be!" - Sauron

30th July/Cerveth T.A 3010, Rivendell

The following morning, Elrond sat alone at the desk of his study. He had not rested well but put it down to the difficulties of the previous day. He had sent out urgent messages and now two sealed scrolls lay on the desk before him. He picked up the one with the white seal and the tower stamped into it. The tone of Saruman's reply was 'I told you so'. He insisted Anberenien be sent directly to him so that he could prevent any further interference from the Dark Lord.

But as Elrond read the message, he felt a sense of foreboding. As a father, he could not imagine sending Anberenien to that dark and gloomy tower, whatever the situation. He only hoped Arwen would agree to come home early and support her adopted sister through her maiden years. The second reply was indeed from Lothlórien, with its golden seal and wax stamp, but it was not from Arwen.

Glorfindel entered the study as Elrond finished reading. "I see you have received replies, then?"

"Yes, but not quite what I was expecting. Arwen did not reply, but Celeborn and Galadriel did. They are offering to foster Anberenien until she comes of age. Galadriel feels that she could be of help to her. Saruman, on the other hand, believes I should send Anberenien to him."

Glorfindel examined both letters. "They were both acquainted with her in Valinor."

"As were you. But you have never spoken of it."

Glorfindel smiled. "Yes, she was involved in my restoration. But that is something I feel I cannot discuss on Middle Earth."

Elrond nodded and did not press the matter further. "I have not as yet had a reply from Mithrandir, but he could be anywhere."

"Well, if I might offer some counsel, I would not be hasty in acting. Wait till we hear from Mithrandir. I should have picked up on the symptoms. Got her to confide in me more. But mortal children can behave a little strange in their adolescent years."

"Agreed. I remember Aragorn at that age." They both chuckled.

Suddenly Elenye came running into the study. "My Lord Elrond, it is Anberenien. She is not in her chamber and I cannot find her anywhere."

"Perhaps she got up early and went to the Pine Woods," replied Elrond.

But Elenye was close to tears. "No, my Lord. Things from her chamber are missing. Her money, valuables and her father's cloak. There was also this hidden in her bed, along with several gold coins." She handed Elrond a note, which was written in Anberenien's hand.

Beloved Ada,

I am sorry, but I must leave. If anything bad happens to Bilbo, you or anyone else on my account, I could never forgive myself. If the Dark Lord is seeking me out, it would not be wise for me to stay and put all those I love at risk. I shall try to make my way into the world. Find my true purpose, and hope he does not find me. Forgive me.

Farewell! Your beloved daughter, Anberenien.

Elrond shook his head as he read the letter repeatedly. "No, it cannot be," he whispered. His heart breaking with every word. He had only wanted to protect Anberenien from the Dark lord. Instead, he had made her feel she was a danger to others and now she had taken off.

"How can she have left the realm? Surely the watch would have seen her," said Elenye.

"There is no time to ponder this now. She might only be hiding in the Pine woods. But if she has run away, we must find her quickly. Before our enemies do!" said Glorfindel.

Elrond called for his sons, his eyes moist with grief. Elladan and Elrohir raised the alarm and headed search parties. They assured their father that Anberenien could not have gone far, especially if she was on foot. "We will have her home by nightfall, Ada," said Elladan.

"See that you do," replied Elrond. "I will never forgive myself if ill should befall her." He and Glorfindel watched from an open window in the study as the search parties galloped off into the distance.

"I shall go and search in places a party might find difficult," said Glorfindel.

"I will come with you," replied Elrond.

"No, Elrond. I must do this alone. You are required here. My, Gracious Lady, needs her father waiting for her when we bring her home."

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It had been an arduous night as Anberenien made her way through the Pine Woods in the dark, the lights of Rivendell growing fainter as she went. The cave had been a relief and after lighting a candle, was even more relieved to find no animals or creatures within. Here she changed into the ranger's clothing she had brought with her. It was much too big, having been made for an adult male. But her father's cloak was large enough to encompass her completely. She had felt terrible taking things from Rivendell after everything they had done for her, so left some gold in payment.

While she rested, Sauron had come to her through the unseen again. Standing before her in the golden wheat field. At first, he tried to charm her, praising her for leaving the Elves and urging her to go southward to Mordor where he would make her his queen. But Anberenien turned away from him.

"I did not leave Rivendell on your account, but to protect those I love. You will not use me to harm them. I remember this place, the golden field on the Isle of Almaren, and I remember you. Who you were then and who you are now!"

Sauron came after her, grabbing her shoulder and turning her to face him, but she pulled away. "You chose to serve Melkor, be gone from me, Sauron! I will not listen to you anymore!"

Sauron gave her the same sad, pleading look he had given her when he spoke of his ring. "You do not understand, Almárie. You do not remember how it really was and the Elves have filled your head with lies. I only desire peace throughout Middle Earth and beyond. The world needs order, and the Valar left it in chaos. Order is the only way to bring peace. You have great power, Almárie, power the Elves fear. They want to control you. But I want you to be in control, and at my side as my Queen. What is so wrong with that?"

Anberenien looked at him with utter disgust."You wish to control the world by force for your own amusement, that is what is wrong. And what makes you think I would join you? Your people murdered my kinfolk, and now you ask me to be your queen?"

Sauron shrugged. "They were in the way. And I am not asking you. I am telling you!"

"NEVER!" Fury and grief gripped Anberenien. She turned and ran from him through the golden field.

All at once, the skies darkened and the field of golden wheat shrivelled away, leaving the ground barren and cracked. "I did not dismiss you, Almárie!" The soft honeyed voice was gone, replaced by the cruel and commanding voice of the Dark Lord. Anberenien turned, recoiling at the sight before her. Sauron had changed. His robes were so black they absorbed all light. His eyes were like two red flames and his once handsome face was twisted and scarred. He laughed cruelly as he strode towards her. "You have information I desire. Tell me what the hobbit told you!"

"He told me nothing!"

Sauron's gloved hand grabbed Anberenien's throat. "You will tell me all that I desire and you shall be mine, whether willing or not. In the world of waking, you are merely a girl all alone. How far do you think you will get? My people lie in wait and will find you soon enough! Then you will learn how persuasive I can be!" She felt his grip tighten, his laughter growing.

Anberenien woke with a start, still feeling the grip about her throat. It was morning and she could hear bells ringing in the distance. "They know I am gone," she whispered. At the back of the cave, she neatly folded her nightgown, covering it with leaves and stones in an attempt to hide it. Lastly, she coiled her long dark braid around her hand and pulled it tight. With her other hand, she pulled her dagger from its sheath. Anberenien took a deep breath and cut the braid from the rest of her hair.

Silent tears fell as she held it in her hands, grieving the past she was leaving behind. As much as she wanted to go back to Rivendell, she felt different. Part of her innocence was gone and her heart told her she needed to go onwards. Sniffing away her tears, she hurled the braid to the back of the cave. Then re-sheathed her dagger and shook out what was left of her hair. Now it nearly reached her shoulders.

Anberenien quickly put on her pack and started the steep uphill walk into the Misty Mountains. But her pack was heavy, and after half a day's walk, fatigue set in. She came across a rocky outcrop by a freshwater stream and rested there. Out of her pack, she drew out some of her food rations and her leather flask. Taking care to replenish what she drank with the stream's cool waters. The mountains looked so close she could almost touch them, but knew from the Rivendell maps she had a long way to go before she had any hope of finding the high pass.

The sun was now high in the cloudless sky, and Anberenien noticed birds of prey circling above her. She estimated it would take her a good three weeks to cross the mountains on foot if the Elves did not discover her first. Then there were also the risks of Goblins and Orcs who might be lurking in secret places. And if Sauron's threats were true, there would be those in his service seeking her out.

At that moment, she heard the sound of hooves approaching below her. Looking down over the outcrop, she saw there was a narrow roadway below. Fearing Elves were approaching, she drew back and covered herself with her cloak, one eye carefully watching the road. But much to her relief, the sounds belonged to a trader's caravan slowly making its way up the pass. The caravan was made up of a sturdy pony and cart, driven by an old man with wiry grey hair. A dark-haired woman sat beside him. The cart was covered in a hard-wearing fabric that provided protection of goods and living space for the traders. Very similar to the trader's carts she had seen at the market many years ago. Two well-armed guards accompanied the caravan on horseback.

One guard stopped his horse and looked in Anberenien's direction, his hand upon the pummel on his sword. "Who goes there?" he called.

Anberenien slowly lifted her head, careful not to reveal her face. "Hey there, friend! Where are you bound?" She called back in a deep, manly voice. The horsemen looked at each other but did not remove their hands from their weapons. "Are you alone? Speak true now and come out where we can see you."

Anberenien slowly rose and jumped down from her hiding place, being careful to hide her face. "I am alone and mean you no harm."

The old man looked Anberenien up and down, noting her star pin. "A bit short for a Ranger, aren't you? Your folk are all up by the Shire these days. What brings you this far east?"

Anberenien knew that if she did not satisfy the company that she was no threat, they would attack her. Then a thought occurred to her that she might convince them to take her with them. "Aye, I am taking a message to the Dwarves of Erebor." "I wondered if you had space in your caravan for a passenger. I can pay my way".

The old man scratched his beard. "let's see it then?" Anberenien pulled a silver coin from her pack and tossed it to the trader. He inspected it and gave it to the woman at his side. She bit the coin, studied Anberenien for a moment, then nodded. "The wife says you are good for it. We are headed for Esgaroth and are welcome to join us for five silver."

"Many thanks, sir," replied Anberenien. She drew out another four silver and tossed them to the trader.

The trader nodded with approval and thanked him. "You have a name, I presume?"

"Aye, it's.......... It's Rodon." It was the first male name that sprung to mind.

"Well then, young Rodon. You'd best make yourself at home in the back of the cart. It may not be fancy, but I can promise you an excellent stew tonight," said his wife. Her long dark hair and bronze skin reminded Anberenien of the descriptions she had read of a people called the Dunlendings. A wild hillfolk who lived in the south. Her accent was certainly unfamiliar, but Anberenien paid no heed. She was just grateful not to have to carry her pack for a while.

The guards glared at her as Anberenien climbed into the cart. She sat away from the opening and made herself comfortable as she could around all the boxes and packages. The cart gently rocked as it resumed its journey. Making Anberenien's eyes heavy and soon she was fast asleep. Dreaming of making a new life for herself in Esgaroth.