"Could such a thing be possible?" - Gandalf

23rd March/Gwaeron, 3017, The Elven Halls.

When Gandalf arrived at the Elven Halls, Aragorn told him of Thorwen and Thranduil's forthcoming betrothal. He put off questioning Gollum and went straight to Thorwen's chamber, grinning from ear to ear as they embraced. "The last time I saw you, you were in pigtails!"

Thorwen chuckled. "Mithrandir! It has been a long time since I was last in pigtails!"

"So I see," replied Gandalf. He appraised her with his eyes, his voice barely above a whisper. "A thousand blessings upon you, Almárie."

Thorwen was relieved at his warm words. Especially after her conversation with Aragorn. Her eyes danced about the chamber before replying. "Few know of what is to happen at the feast and for good reason," she whispered. Arm in arm they wandered to Thorwen's parlour when Eressil quickly entered the main door looking flustered. She jumped when she saw Gandalf. Thorwen glared at her. "Eressil, I thought you were in the Kitchen!"

"My apologies, Hiril Nin. I was on an urgent errand."

"You are always on some urgent errand when I have need of you. Return to the kitchen immediately and prepare my guest and I some tea!"

"Of course, Hiril Nin. My apologies again." She gave Thorwen and Gandalf a quick bow, then scurried off back through the door to the servant's quarter. But Thorwen felt there was something off with her manner. As if she was not as apologetic as she claimed.

Gandalf raised an eyebrow and grunted. "It is not like an Elf to behave in such a manner."

"No, Mithrandir, I have often spoken with her on this."

"Perhaps it is time she... left your service. I am assuming you will soon have to make such changes."

Thorwen nodded sadly. "It will be hard to do. Eressil has been with me since I first came here."

"But... a Queen must sometimes make tough decisions, Almárie."

"I am not yet a queen, Olorin."

Gandalf blew a smoke ring from his pipe that momentarily looked like a crown before dispersing. "Not yet."

"Celephinniel's daughters are to come into my service as my ladies after my betrothal. But I had hoped to keep Eressil and Golviel too."

Gandalf removed his hat and made himself comfortable in one of the parlour's armchairs.

The scent of Gandalf's pipeweed took her back to more innocent times in Duincar. Thorwen spoke with him about what had taken place with Aragorn. And how Thranduil felt it was not an unreasonable condition when she sought his counsel. Gandalf listened as he enjoyed his pipe. "Almárie, heirs of the Dunedain Chieftains, like Aragorn, were raised in Imladris for centuries. It was hard for both child and parents. However, it meant that Elves and the Dunedain formed strong bonds. And the histories of Numenor were not forgotten. You benefited from such an education before you..."

"Before I ran away, you mean."

Gandalf raised a bushy eyebrow. "Did you run away? Or was it time for you to leave? A mortal would not have slipped out of Imladris without detection."

Thorwen cast her eyes downward. "I had to leave. He came to me, Sauron. My heart told me Imladris would not be safe if I remained. Like Duincar. Even Ada grew fearful of me."

Gandalf smiled and squeezed her hand. "You must not blame yourself for what happened. In Imladris or Duincar. As for your father, he loves you as dearly as the day he first set eyes upon you. Almost as if he sired you himself. That will never change, Almárie."

Thorwen then confessed to Gandalf of the Dale incident and what had occurred in the unseen. Also of the Silvan Brotherhood, whom Thranduil suspected were having dealings with the Temple of Morgoth. "I fear I have brought a shadow to this place."

Gandalf shook his head. "The shadow has lingered long before you came to Middle Earth. Sauron wishes to possess you, not only to have power over you. But because he is afraid of you. Thranduil's appearance in the unseen was of both your making. You must have willed it and he must have accepted the invitation. That will not have gone unnoticed."

"But Sauron believes my living blood will restore him to his fair form."

Gandalf's face grew pale. "Could such a thing be possible?"

"I hoped you would know. Perhaps he only meant to unnerve me."

"Perhaps. But we should be mindful of his claims. Your blood is, by all accounts, unique."

They spoke of lighter matters and Eressil brought out tea and Beorning honey cakes. Once they were done, Gandalf prepared to take his leave. He placed one of the remaining honey cakes in his robes. "I have a certain creature to speak with before I can rest from my travels. Perhaps a little honey cake might sweeten his temperament."

They both chuckled and Thorwen escorted Gandalf to the entrance. But before he opened the Thorwen spoke again, her voice low. "Aragorn believes my children will be mortal and doomed to leave the circles of the world like himself. He still has not guessed my truth."

Gandalf placed his hat back on his head. "Yes, it would seem so."

"But I am of the Maiar. Surely the Valar would grant my children passage to Valinor as my kin."

Gandalf looked thoughtful, his bright eyes sympathetic. "I was bound to this body in the bliss of Valinor. You were bound to yours within a mortal womb. There will be a cost. A cost you would have agreed to before you came here. And choices to make, both sweet and bitter. I wish I could tell you more."

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25th March/Gwaeron, 3017, The Elven Halls.

Celephinniel beamed as she took in Thorwen's gown. Eressil and Golviel carefully made the finishing touches to Thorwen's hair by adding flowers and leaves to the silver circlet on her head. The dress was in pale blue silk embroidered with leaves in silver thread and a tiny white gem sewn to each leaf so that the cloth shimmered as she moved. "My Kinsman certainly has an eye."

Overwhelm consumed Thorwen. "This gown is fit for a queen, not a ward!"

"The King had it made specially, and after tonight you will be more than the King's Ward."

Eressil and Golviel exchanged glances. Celephinniel, who was to be Thorwen's chaperone, had informed them of the coming changes that morning. Both of them appeared to be happy for her. There was a hum of excitement around the halls as the Elves prepared for the Great Feast. Thranduil had decided that under the circumstances it would be safer to hold it within the halls than out in the forest.

When she was ready, Thorwen accompanied Celephinniel to the Great Hall, which was already full of excited guests. The Elves had decorated all the walkways with leaves and early spring flowers. Soft red and yellow lights glowed within green leafy garlands hung about the Hall and all the tables were decorated with the same leaves. The most highly decorated table was upon the dais. It was covered by a great green canopy with the king's feasting throne in pride of place in the centre.

The Elven attendants seated Thorwen to the left of the King's feasting throne next to Aragorn and Celephinniel. With Legolas and Gandalf to the King's right. Aragorn was dressed in his chieftain's robes. He turned to Thorwen approvingly. "You look beautiful, Anberenien. Your Lord Father would have been proud of you this night."

"You will give us your blessing?"

Aragorn winked and grinned slightly. He leaned over and whispered. "I would be a fool to turn down a king's suit. But I could not be seen to agree to such a match so readily."

The horns of the Heralds alerted the feasters of Thranduil's arrival. He entered the Great Hall wearing robes of pale blue and silver. His crown dressed for the coming spring. The Huscarls, formed a guard of honour before him. Everyone stood until Thranduil took his seat. He then motioned for all to follow suit. While the food and drink were being served, Thranduil leaned over and whispered in Thorwen's ear. "Now that is a stunning gown, almost as comely as the maiden wearing it."

Thorwen smiled and blushed. "Why thank you, my Lord King," she whispered back. Musicians serenaded the feasters as the food and drink were served. Thorwen scanned the great hall to see where Rodon was sitting, but could not find him.

"Was Rodon not permitted to attend?" she asked Aragorn.

"He made friends with some scouts who were going to hunt some Orcs sighted nearby. They invited him to join them. Rodon is a keen Orc hunter, one of the best of the apprentices. Very much like his father was. I will share the good news with him on his return."

Thorwen was a little annoyed that her childhood friend had chosen to go hunting Orcs rather than attend what was to be her betrothal feast. But he had changed a lot since she had last seen him, and so had she. Thranduil called for more wine and when everyone's goblet was full. He got to his feet. The music faded to silence, and a hush fell over the Great Hall. Everyone turned to look in Thranduil's direction.

First, he welcomed everyone present and made the expected toast of honour to Aragorn and Gandalf. The Elves responded with the banging of tables and cheering. "And we celebrate the fact the fiendish creature Gollum is now sitting in my cells and no longer a problem for Men and Elves alike!" Even more, table-thumping and cheers echoed around the Great Hall, and Thranduil silenced them again.

"And now for my most important announcement. Since my father was slain in battle at Dagorlad, I have served you as your king through great days and grim. I have done so with the support and wise counsel of the members of my house." His eyes fell on Legolas and Celephinniel, who both smiled back in support. "But now I feel the time has come to widen our house. My father was not the only kindred I lost at Dagorlad, but my dear lady wife Lasseth also." There were murmurs and the loud whispering of Lasseth's name echoed around the halls. Some even drank a swift toast to her memory.

"But Lasseth did not wish me to rule alone. With her dying words, she urged me to take a queen to rule alongside me. She knew just how heavy this crown would be. But I resisted her counsel. Wishing to honour her memory and the oath I made to 'The One.' I ruled alone. Until now! Providence has brought into my life a joy I never sort to feel again. At last, I understand and honour Lasseth's dying wish!" Thranduil's almost tearful gaze now fell on Thorwen.

"Since she came to us. My ward, Lady Thorwen, has touched the hearts of us all. Including that of your king. And with the blessing of her kinfolk, she has agreed that when she comes of age, our hands and houses shall be joined." There was complete silence. Some Elves looked at each other, unsure how to react. Never before in their history had an Elf, let alone a king, wed again after losing a spouse. They all knew the story of Finwe and Miriel who had died after birthing the mighty Feanor. Finwe had sort leave from the Valar to wed again and the consequences were felt for ages after. Thorwen looked at Aragorn, fearful that the news had not gone well with the Wood Elves.

But then a loud clapping echoed across the Hall. All eyes turned to see Legolas smiling broadly as he clapped. Celephinniel then rose and did likewise, and soon all the Sindar Elves and honoured guests were standing and applauding. "The Hunter and the Hart!" called a Silvan Elf. "If 'The One' blesses the Union, then they should dance the Hunter and the Hart!" called another. The Silvan Elves banged on the tables in a low, rhythmic thud. Thorwen recognised the beat as one of the most difficult dances Celephinniel had taught her and one she never seemed to be able to get right. Now it would be more important than ever to dance the steps correctly.

She heard Thranduil's voice in her mind. "I hope you are ready for this."

"As ready as I ever will be," Thorwen replied.

Thranduil quietened the feasters. "Very well. If we must dance the Hunter and the Hart for your approval, then that is what we shall do." He held out his hand to Thorwen. For a moment she glanced in Aragorn's direction.

Both he and Celephinniel gave encouraging smiles. "Just remember all I taught you," whispered Celephinniel.

"It is just a little dance, Anberenien," said Aragorn.

Thorwen turned back towards Thranduil and took his hand. Nervously, she rose from the table and he led her from the Dias to the centre of the large dancing space before the King's table. She could feel a thousand eyes upon her as she took her position in front of Thranduil, their eyes locked upon each other as they prepared to perform this most difficult and precise of dances. Thranduil then signalled for the music to begin.

The melody bounced gently around the halls as the two of them glided across the floor. Celephinniel's instructions echoed through her mind as she avoided Thranduil's advances in time with the beat. He was certainly more experienced at the dance. Smirking as he almost caught her a couple of times. But Thorwen succeeded in avoiding him. Then she noticed the change in the tempo, the build-up to the all-important finale when she must finally allow herself to be caught. They must come together at just the right point, or their betrothal would be ill-blessed.

Thorwen could hear the low thud as wood elves started to beat time again, slow at first but getting faster and faster. As the beat increased, Thorwen and Thranduil approached and circled each other, but resisted the urge to touch. Then the agonising silence before the final beat. Their eyes locked. Breath and heartbeats in cinque. But bodies not touching.

She felt the beat within her body even before it sounded, their hands intertwining at just the right moment. They spun around as Thranduil pulled her close and she fell into his arms as the hunted Hart. The Wood Elves banged the tables and cheered. Thranduil looked into Thorwen's eyes, smiling with pride. "We did it!"