Daughter of Arnor - Servant of Fate

Chapter Twenty Seven: The Hunter and the Heart

"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. He took out his pipe."May I?"

Thorwen grinned. "Of course," and sat in the armchair beside him.

The scent of the 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."