"I have suffered worse, My Lady. Go with them I will be fine!" - Rodon

Thorwen's dreams were full of the previous night's triumph. After the successful completion of the dance. She and Thranduil plighted their troth before everyone assembled. The night was a whirl of celebration, feasting and dancing, and as she relived those happy memories, something caught her attention up on one of the walkways. Thorwen saw the white doe looking down at her and she felt the urge to follow.

The doe led her through the many walkways and passages, Elven music continuing faintly in the distance. When they reached the Great Doors of the Elven Halls there were no guards and Thorwen realised she had drifted into the unseen. The Great doors opened and sunlight poured through the open doorway. The doe then trotted over the bridge and sprang away into the undergrowth. On the other side of the bridge, Thorwen saw a familiar figure. He was still dressed in his scruffy brown robes, but now in his ageless form. She beamed from ear to ear. "Aiwendil! Aiwendil!"

With a joyful heart, she ran over the bridge, and they embraced. "I had to come and wish you well. The Elven scouts told me of your betrothal. I am so happy for you, Sweet Sister."

"Then why did you not come to the feast, Beloved Brother?"

"It is too dangerous to come in person. Orc attacks have been more frequent of late. Many of my poor friends have been injured or slain. I have been keeping a watchful eye on Dol Guldur, and the Dark Lord's most feared servants have returned to that place. The Nazgul, two of them at least, are residing there. If I come to you, their spies might discover our truth."

"Then come to me as you have this night."

"Even this is risky, Almárie. I feel his shadow, even now." He looked afraid suddenly and pulled away from her. "I must go, for both our sakes. But know that I love you, whatever happens. Farewell Sweet Sister, may we meet again soon..." As he faded away, there was a clap of thunder and a dark cloud came over the sun. Thorwen could feel Sauron's presence. He did not speak, but she knew he was sending her a message. He was watching and waiting to strike, and at any moment.

"You shall never have me, Sauron!" she called out aloud. The wind got up and, all at once, burned and blackened stumps replaced the beautiful green forest. Thorwen turned and marched back across the bridge and through the great gates of the Elven Halls. But as the doors clanged shut, Thorwen was sure she could hear Sauron's malicious laughter from the other side.

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27th March/Gwaeron, 3017, The Cells of The Elven Halls.

The guard led Thorwen through a maze of cells in the lower part of the Elven Halls. This was part of the cavernous complex that she was completely unfamiliar with. It was colder and darker than the main living areas. There was a dampness in the air and Thorwen could hear echoes of the underground river as it passed through the tunnels. She remembered from Bilbo's stories how he and the Dwarves had escaped the Elven Halls using discarded barrels that had been released into the water. There were a lot of guards stationed around the area. Though Thorwen noticed there did not seem to be any prisoners within the cells she passed.

Golviel had woken Thorwen from a deep slumber, informing her that Gandalf requested her presence in the cells. Gollum was refusing to cooperate unless he could speak with the 'Pretty Precious'. Reluctantly, she had agreed and dressed for the day, her sheathed blades clearly on display. As they walked, the guard kept apologizing every so often for bringing her there. Shortly he stopped at a cell door which, unlike the other cells, had a wooden door and knocked on it loudly. "You will need this, Hiril Nin," he said, handing her a lit torch. Legolas' bright eyes could be seen on the other side as a hatch in the door opened.

"Good, you are here at last," he snapped on seeing Thorwen.

She heard the door of the cell unbolt and slowly open. Legolas looked weary as he ushered her inside and quickly barred the door again. "Perhaps you can work your Will on the foul creature. Says he will only speak with you!" He cast an eye at Gollum, who was hiding in the darkest corner of the cell.

It was dimly lit with a couple of candles and on one wall Thorwen could see some Dwarven runes carved with a variety of expletive comments about Elves, and especially the king. She could not help but let out a slight chuckle. Legolas took the torch from her. "You are not here to look at Dwarven graffiti!"

"Now, now Legolas. None of this is Lady Thorwen's doing," said Gandalf.

"My apologies, Thorwen. It has been a long night," said Legolas.

Gandalf sat calmly on a nearby stool. "Thank you for coming so promptly."

At the sound of her name, Gollum's ears seemed to prick up. He turned slightly, peering at her with one of his saucer eyes. "The Pretty Precious, she has come. I said she would, didn't I?" he whispered to himself. "No, you didn't. You said she would never speak with a wretched creature like you." It seemed to Thorwen that Gollum was arguing with himself.

"He has been going on like this all night," whispered Legolas.

Thorwen glanced down at the newly crafted silver ring on her finger. "I am Lady Thorwen, The King's Betrothed. What service do you require of me?"

Legolas dragged him out of the corner by his chain towards the centre of the cell. "You asked for Lady Thorwen and she is here. Now, will you answer our questions?"

Gollum scowled back at him. "I will answer the Pretty Precious's questions, nasty Elf." He looked up at Thorwen with wide pitiful eyes. "Silver shiny eyes, Silver shiny lady, Yes, Pretty Precious, you can ask me questions. What is it the, Pretty Precious wishes to know?"

Thorwen realised he could see her as she was in the unseen. She thought back to what Bilbo used to call her in Imladris. "My shiny young friend." Sauron's ring must have caused them to glimpse the unseen.

"Ask him about the ring," whispered Legolas.

"What happened to your ring, Gollum?" She asked him firmly.

Gollum frowned. "He stole it from me, Pretty Precious! My birthday present!"

"Who stole your birthday present?"

Gollum screeched and yelled incoherently.

Legolas tugged on the chain."Settle down, Gollum, and answer Lady Thorwen's questions! Otherwise, there will be no fish for you today!"

But Gollum now wailed about how hungry he was and how the Elves were starving him. He clutched Thorwen's boot, his enormous eyes pleading. "Please, Pretty Precious, Mercy! Please!"

Legolas pulled him away and Gandalf got to his feet, his anger growing."We have honoured your request, Gollum. Now, will you give answer, or do we send Lady Thorwen away?"

"Perhaps he might be more forthcoming with a different approach," suggested Thorwen. She knelt to Gollum's level and touched his face with her hands.

"Thorwen!" Legolas called.

But she ignored him. "You have been hurt, haven't you...... Who hurt you?"

Gollum's saucer eyes fixed on hers as he quivered with fear. "Mordor," he whispered.

"I am so sorry, Gollum. And I promise, if you answer our questions, I will ensure that you are treated more kindly. Perhaps even have this chain removed."

"You cannot promise him that! Gollum is not to be trusted!" said Legolas.

"We need to give him some encouragement if we are to get through to him," replied Thorwen.

Legolas sighed and nodded. "As long as he cooperates, I will remove the neck chain. But not the Manacles."

Thorwen turned back to Gollum. "look, see. If you answer our questions. Legolas will remove the neck chain."

Gollum's eyes grew wide, and she caught a whiff of his stinky breath as he broke into a grin. "Thank you, Pretty Precious. You are kind, Pretty Precious. Sméagol likes the kind, Pretty Precious."

Thorwen felt confident she could build a rapport with the creature. "Sméagol? Is that your name?

"Yes, Pretty Precious, yes before. I was Sméagol........... I am Sméagol!"

"Then, Sméagol, tell me what you know of the Dark Lord's ring. Where it might be found. You are safe here. The King is very powerful. He can protect you from the Dark Lord as he protected me."

The creature's eyes filled with tears. "Am I...... really safe..... from the nine fingers?"

Thorwen nodded. "You have my word."

Gollum withdrew slightly, his head bowed. "It was my birthday present......... the precious."

"The ring is your precious?"

"Yes, Pretty Precious."

"And what happened to your precious?"

Gollum snarled. "Baggins of the Shire! He stole it! My precious!"

Thorwen looked up at Gandalf, who nodded encouragingly.

Gollum was still wailing about his stolen precious. "My birthday present, stolen! Like they will steal you, Pretty Precious!"

Gandalf and Legolas gasped, but Thorwen remained calm. "What do you mean by that, Gollum?"

Gollum crept closer to Thorwen. His voice became menacing as he spoke. "I heard them talking, Pretty Precious. A high price upon your pretty head. They are watching and waiting for you. First chance they get Pretty Precious. Give you to the master they will!"

He lunged at her. His sharp pointed teeth bared as he snarled. Thorwen instinctively pulled out one of her blades. "Now quieten down, if you don't want me to use it on you!"

Gollum shrank back."No, no please, Sméagol meant no harm, Sméagol is sorry, Pretty Precious, Sméagol would not want the master to hurt the Pretty Precious." He turned towards his dark corner again, muttering to himself. "Nasty, Pretty Precious likes to play with knives. But that won't save her from the Great Master. Oh, no. Pretty Precious better run. Run, run, catch me if you can." Then descended into eerie laughter.

"Thorwen, we can get no more from him. Go to Adar and tell him everything we have learned," said Legolas. Thorwen gave him a nod, sheathed her blade and knocked on the door to be let out of the cell.

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The first wisps of warmth could be felt in the air as Thorwen and Celephinniel arrived at the training ground after sharing the midday meal with Thranduil and Aragorn. When she had informed the King of what had occurred in the cells. Both expressed their concerns at Gollum's threats. But Thorwen reasoned now that Gollum was in captivity, he was no longer a danger to anyone. And even though she had heard of the terrible things he had done. She could not help but feel pity for his wretched state.

At the training ground, they met with Bregwen and the Huscarls. Who saluted Thorwen as she arrived. Bregwen gave the order for them to resume sparring while she greeted them both, giving Thorwen a broad smile as they embraced. "A thousand blessings upon you, Dilthen Dunadan. I must watch my words now, Hiril Nin!"

"Nothing has changed really, Bregwen," replied Thorwen.

Bregwen chuckled. "Nothing and everything has changed. Come, we have a new recruit among our ranks. Let us put him through his paces."

They did indeed have a new member among them. Rodon was trying to keep up his sparring partner, though his skills were lacking compared to the Huscarls. He noticed Thorwen and smiled, allowing his partner to seize the advantage. The poor lad was now on the ground, eating dirt. Thorwen let out a hearty laugh as she remembered the many times she had been in that position. "Come now, be gentle with our guest. He begins a long journey in the morning."

Rodon wiped the dirt from his mouth, and his partner helped him to his feet. "My lady, I thank you for the intervention, but I can keep up well enough." He was no longer the shy, dutiful boy she remembered. The wilds had brought out a confidence in him she was not expecting. She found it almost charming.

Bregwen handed Thorwen and Celephinniel their practice blades. "Do you two wish to spar together today?"

"I think Celephinniel deserves a more worthy opponent for a change. I want to spar with my friend Rodon. Seeing as he did not attend the feast, I have not had a chance to be reacquainted with him."

Rodon approached Thorwen and bowed low. "You do me much honour, my Lady Anberenien." He certainly lived up to his name now. He was tall and muscular, and his wavy hair was much darker than she remembered. As they sparred, they spoke of old times and their memories of Imladris. He had not forgotten the Sindarin he had learned there either, that and having Aragorn's favour had enabled him to be trained by the highest-ranking captains. "I am part of Halbarad's company and will be receiving my badge when I return north with Aragorn." He begged her pardon for not attending the feast. "My Lord Aragorn gave me leave to go. An opportunity to go on a night hunt with the Elves was something I could not resist. But had I known what was to take place, I would certainly have been present. May your union be blessed and fruitful."

Thorwen blushed his words and they both chuckled. Then something caught Rodon's eye in the trees behind Thorwen, and she used his distraction to gain advantage. The ranger's apprentice tasted dirt again. Thorwen looked down at him laughing, her hands on her hips. "Now I pardon you!"

She reached out to help Rodon to his feet. As he stood, his eyes grew wide and he called out. 'My Lady, incoming!" and pushed her to the ground. Thorwen sat up dazed' trying to process what had happened. Some of the Huscarls were running off in the opposite direction and Celephinniel was attending to Rodon, who had taken an arrow to his shoulder.

"An Elf did it! But I could not see his face! He cried out in pain as Celephinniel examined his wound. "You are lucky, young ranger. It is not deep. The arrow will be easy to extract. Bregwen barked orders to the remaining Huscarls. "Return Lady Thorwen to her chamber. I must report to the king. Afterwards, we shall join the hunt for the attacker!"

"I cannot leave Rodon, he is injured!" Thorwen exclaimed.

"I have suffered worse, My Lady. Go with them. I will be fine!" Celephinniel and one of the Huscarls helped Rodon up and bore him away. And before Thorwen could protest, the remaining Huscarls spirited her back to her chamber.