"Father, what troubles you?" Caunwen asked as she entered Elrond's throne room, "You have not been right."
Elrond turned to see his daughter staring at him with concern in her eyes, "My daughter, my concern is for you. I have one daughter who is in love with a man and she is willing to throw away her immortality to be with him and I have just heard a prophecy that regards you," he said as he diverted his eyes to the floor, unable to look upon her.
Caunwen stepped forward, reaching out to grasp her father's hand, "What did the prophecy say?"
Elrond was not upset at what it said but that it would take her away from him. He took a deep breath before speaking once more, "My dear Caunwen, the prophecy stated that you will find both love and struggle with a great wizard. I know that this prophecy is about you and Mithrandir which pleases me but it also means you must leave at once to be by his side," he explained, his large eyebrows furrowed in grief.
Caunwen was perplexed by her father's urgency for her to leave, "Why must I go immediately? Gandalf is just as immortal as we are."
Elrond nodded, "Terrible times are coming to Middle Earth. Times that will test us all so your time is limited to reach him. Gather your horse and your personal effects and ride to the Shire. You will find him there. Tell him what I have shared with you and my only hope is that our paths may cross again."
Caunwen wrapped her arms around her father's neck, whispering goodbye in his ear before leaving his side to gather what she would need. As she packed a small pouch with as little as possible, Arwen entered her room.
"Sister, where are you planning to run away to?" Arwen asked, knowing her sister was the last one between the two of them to leave Rivendell.
Caunwen turned to face her sister, sadness filling her eyes as she spoke, "I am being sent away because of a prophecy given to father that states I will find both love and struggle with a great wizard. He is sending me to find Mithrandir. Sister, I will miss you so," she felt the tears break free as she looked upon Arwen's face.
Arwen was confused, "Tis not fair for you to have to run out and find Mithrandir. Does he even know you're coming to be with him? Is that something he'd accept? He has been alone for all these many years."
Caunwen shook her head, "I only know that I must go to the Shire and find him and tell him what I've told you. Goodbye, Arwen," she whispered as she pulled her pack unto her back and walked forward to hug her sister goodbye.
"We will find each other again," Arwen comforted her sister as they released their embrace and Caunwen raced to the stables to mount her horse and race out into the night. She rode through the night into the first breaks of morning sunshine when she finally reached the border of the Shire. She stopped her horse, dismounted and left her there while she walked into the town unsure of where she was supposed to go from there. Caunwen thought back to everything she had ever heard about Mithrandir and she remembered the name Bilbo Baggins. She found a young hobbit with curly brown hair and piercing blue eyes.
"Excuse me," she said to grab his attention.
The young hobbit looked up at the sound of her voice, then jumped at the sight of an elf in the Shire, "Yes," he replied before asking, "What is an elf doing in these parts?"
Caunwen smiled at his surprise at her appearance, she had forgotten that Hobbits do not travel, "I am here in search of the wizard they call Gandalf the Grey. Is he here?"
The hobbit shook his head, "He will be but he has not yet arrived. Would you like to come with me to my uncle's house. My name is Frodo Baggins," he offered while introducing himself.
"It is an honor to meet you, Frodo," she began, "I am Caunwen of Rivendell, daughter of Lord Elrond. I would enjoy keeping your company while we wait."
Frodo smiled as he led her back toward the village. Just as they reached the street, Caunwen's ears heard horse hooves on the dirt road from miles away.
"Frodo, wait here a moment. He is coming," she announced as she looked in the distance, awaiting her destiny.
Frodo was not sure of anything she had said but he had read that Elves had many skills. As the two stood there on the hill overlooking the street, Gandalf rode up and stopped in front of them, his face taking on a grave look of concern at seeing Caunwen.
Frodo was oblivious to the shift in Gandalf's demeanor and the sudden tensing of his body as he yelled his name and threw his arms around the wizard. Gandalf smiled at the hobbit as he looked up at Caunwen once more.
"Caunwen, daughter of Lord Elrond, what brings you to Bag End?" he asked, though he felt in his heart that he knew why she was here.
"Mithrandir, I come with news from my father. Would you be able to speak in private with me for a moment?" she requested as she looked upon the old man and his long grey hair and beard to match. How was he the one she was fated to be with?
Gandalf nodded, "Frodo, go let your uncle know that I've arrived. I will meet you there soon."
Frodo nodded in response as he got out of Gandalf's wagon and spoke to Caunwen once more, "It was lovely to meet you. I hope you stick around for the party this evening."
"Thank you," she replied, "I may just do that." As she finished speaking, Frodo disappeared.
"Walk with me into the woods?" she asked once she and Gandalf were alone.
They walked a short way until they were well hidden before Gandalf asked the question, now haunting his mind, "Are you going to war, Lady Caunwen?"
Caunwen was taken aback as she shook her head, "No, this matter may be both serious and urgent but it is not war," she calmed him as she reached out and touched his forearm.
Gandalf raised a brow, "Then on what matter would Lord Elrond send you here for?"
Caunwen took a deep breath as she prepared to explain, "Mithrandir, my father was told a prophecy last eve that must be fulfilled before the dark times begin. The prophecy states that I will share both love and struggles with a great wizard," she said and watched his face take in what she was saying.
Gandalf shook his head as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "You can not be serious. A prophecy states that you and I are to fall in love? I have vowed to live a life without the love of a woman for all of these years, why now?"
"Shall we go to Saruman and ask for his opinion? You and he are the last of the Istar and perhaps your union with me is supposed to continue the line," she hypothesized outloud.
Gandalf took a large breath, "We shall go seek his council about more matters than just this. Let us enjoy the party tonight and we will ride at dawn," he said as he walked away from her back into the town.