Anomen, stretched out on the limb of a tree, heard soft elven footsteps approaching.
"Ah, Anomen, there you are. You see, Elrohir, I told you he would be in this tree and not the one over by the waterfall. The spray from the waterfall makes his perch in that tree too uncomfortable on a cold day like today."
Anomen looked down to see Elladan and Elrohir grinning up at him.
"Let me guess: Erestor has a scroll that he wishes me to copy."
"No," chorused the twins.
"Glorfindel is finally going to keep his threat to make me shine not only the outsides but the insides of the helmets."
"Not yet!"
"But if he catches you climbing down the trellis one more time, I really think he will," added Elrohir.
"Elrond wants me for some reason?"
"Yes!"
"Should I be trembling with fear and trepidation?"
"Actually, Anomen," replied Elladan, "we haven't the slightest idea as to why Ada has sent for you. Mithrandir may be mixed up in it, somehow; the two of them have been closeted together all morning."
Anomen's eyes gleamed. If Mithrandir were involved, it couldn't be too bad. In fact, likely something pleasant was in store—when Mithrandir showed up, adventure generally followed. Eagerly he leaped down from his perch and hurried back to the Hall.
"Please sit down, Anomen." Elrond nodded at the young elf. Mithrandir smiled, the skin around his eyes crinkling in the familiar pattern that Anomen had come to know so well.
"Mithrandir and I were just about to open this bottle of Dorwinion wine that Mithrandir acquired in Greenwood."
"Greenwood?" Anomen was surprised, for he only knew Mithrandir to have visited his father's kingdom once, long ago when Anomen himself was a mere elfling. He also found himself to be uncomfortable. What if Mithrandir had learned something in Mirkwood that would affect his own position here in Rivendell, perhaps making it a precarious one?
"Yes, Greenwood. It has been long since I traveled to Thranduil's kingdom, and I thought it behooved me to bring myself up to date on developments in that realm."
"And how do Thranduil and his folk fare?" asked Elrond as he poured himself and his friend a glass of the wine. After considering a moment, he poured Anomen a glass as well.
Mithrandir shook his head. "I wish I could say that all is well. Alas, the triple threat of spiders, Orcs, and wargs continues to grow, and an ever-deepening darkness emanates from Dol Guldur. Moreover, the king has suffered a great personal loss." Mithrandir turned to Elrond. "This is a loss that you above all would appreciate, for I know how dear your children are to you. It would seem that the Prince of Greenwood has fallen prey to a spider. His body was never found—that would not be surprising, of course—but strands of his hair were found tangled in a web."
"Ai! that is sad news indeed! How is Thranduil bearing up under such a tragedy?"
"Rather worse than his subjects would have expected. Rumor had it that Thranduil had no love to spare for the prince; nevertheless, it is reported that the king spends every free hour in the prince's room, wandering about the room and passing his hands over his son's abandoned clothing and possessions. It is true that when I dined with him, he seemed subdued and much more taciturn than usual."
Elrond raised an eyebrow. "That would be taciturn indeed!"
Anomen found Mithrandir's account difficult to believe. His father grieved for him? No, that could not be true! Thranduil had never spared him so much as a word or a glance. So bewildered was Anomen that he did not notice that the wizard was now addressing him.
"Anomen!" said Elrond sternly. "Attend to our guest."
"I beg your pardon, Mithrandir!"
"As I was saying, you lived for a time in Greenwood. What say you about the relationship between the prince and the king?
Anomen replied, and truthfully, "I did not know the king very well at all. I saw him rarely and spoke to him even less."
It seemed to Anomen that Mithrandir's eyes had become even more piercing than usual as the Istar gazed at the young Elf. After a pause that lasted much too long for Anomen's liking, the wizard turned back to the elf-lord. "Fortunately, in spite of his sorrow the King of Mirkwood is ready to join with us in taking action against the evil of Dol Guldur. And it is for that reason," the wizard added, looking once again at Anomen, "that we have summoned you. In relation to this matter, an embassy will be setting out under the direction of Glorfindel and Erestor, and you will be numbered among it."
Elrond elaborated. "It will be both an embassy and a trading mission, for the delegation will be meeting with a company of Rohirrim to discuss the exchange of studs to strengthen our respective herds. For that purpose, the delegation will first travel to the Gap of Rohan."
Anomen felt a twinge of fear. That meant he would be passing through Dunland.
"You need not fear, Anomen," said Elrond, divining Anomen's thoughts. "The Dunlendings have never yet attacked a well-armed band of warriors. Moreover, as you well know, the Dunlending whom you feared the most is no longer among the living."
Anomen nodded somberly. He would never forget the sound of the life gurgling from the throats of the Dunlendings who had been betrayed by the Southrons, their erstwhile allies.
"While the embassy is treating with the Rohirrim," continued Elrond, "we need someone to carry a message to Isengard. We have been urging Saruman to participate in a Council over the threat in southern Greenwood, and we wish to renew our appeals. You have been to Isengard and were well-received, were you not?"
"Yes," replied Anomen uneasily. Why did he not want to return to Isengard?
"Then, since Saruman knows you and seems favorably disposed to you, we think you would make a fitting messenger."
Anomen looked toward Mithrandir. The young Elf sensed that the wizard had his own purpose for sending him to Isengard, something in addition to the one stated by Elrond.
Mithrandir spoke. "After you have delivered your message to Saruman, you will rejoin the embassy, which will travel on to Lothlórien. After Glorfindel and Erestor have consulted with the Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel, the company will ride on to Greenwood. You, however," the wizard added, "Will remain in Lothlórien as the guest of Celeborn and Galadriel." To Anomen's surprise, the Istar winked at him.
Anomen exhaled in relief. He had feared that he would be expected to journey on to Greenwood and was not sure what he would have done if that had been so. He did not like the idea of stopping in Isengard, but a return to Greenwood would be far worse!
Elrond and Mithrandir were both looking at him, and Anomen realized that he was expected to say something.
"I am honored that you would consider me worthy to carry your message to Isengard." He inclined his head slightly and arose.
"If that is all, my Lords, I will go and prepare for the journey."
The older Elf and the Istar arose and returned his bow.
"Stay well, Anomen," said Mithrandir.
"May the Valar be with you," added Elrond.
Anomen nodded his thanks, turned, and strode from the room.