I decided to add this chapter today rather than wait a few days.

Chapter 4

Gandalf POV

Gandalf sat amongst the scrolls and runes from the trunks Tree Beard had shown him. They were all about the history of Shoran, the war against Sauron and the history of the elves. He was reading one in particular that described the city and its inhabitants when he saw a small book wrapped in fine silk underneath some scrolls, he pulled it out.

'My darling daughter has been born. She bears no sign of her mixed heritage, apart from the colour of her eyes, unusual to that of elves. Alas, i fear she has been born into bad tidings. The shadow in my mind grows darker, i must protect this child at all costs. She must live. The fate of Middle Earth depends on it. I have transferred some of my power to her, in the hopes my love will protect her until she can bring together those that will protect her.

She is fair, she will be just and courteous. I only wish I could be the one to ensure her safe passage through the world and see her grow into the fair lady she will be. Alas this will not be the case but I will do what I must.'

Gandalf looked at the writing with great concern. Clearly the Sheann Elf queen knew something was coming. What exactly it was he wasn't sure. He read on.

'Envoys have come from the cities of Men and Dwarves to assist us in these dark times, yet King Thranduil of the Woodland Realm has not sent help, I can only imagine they too face dark times. Lord Elrond has sent word that his army is on its way. I fear the walls will be breached soon. I have prepared the necessary scrolls and runes to help my darling Elahir learn the ways of her people, and to help prepare her for the battles that she faces ahead. We know it is inevitable that we shall have to flee.

The council has decided we should head first to Saruman to seek his guidance on where to go next. Messengers have been sent ahead to Isengard, but I fear we will have to leave before they have even delivered our calls for help.'

Gandalf thought grimly and looked around the close forest. The tree herder had moved the trunks and carriage deep into the forest where the child would not think to lurk for long. Gandalf had inspected what was left in the vine entangled carriage searching for clues as to where they had been or if anyone had survived but found nothing.

"It seems Saruman might have some information I need after all," he murmured before continuing to read.

'And so it is, we have been forced to flee. We are being pursued by Sauron's Orcs. I only hope we can make it to Isengard. We are concerned as there has been no word from Saruman yet. Elahir must be kept safe until she can understand and control the power that lies dormant within her.'

'The Orcs are catching up, each day we are battling, only few at a time, but they weaken the few that have stayed to escort. All others are taking the battle to the main unit that travels just a day or two behind. We mustn't slow. I fear now more than ever.'

Gandalf noticed each entry was becoming smaller as the days went on.

'We have drawn to Fangorn Forest, but the Orcs are upon us. It seems like they were waiting for us. Like they knew this would be our first stop. We have taken care of the first group and entered the forest but I fear there are more waiting for us. What of Saruman i wonder. Is he alive or has his magic not been enough to defeat the Orcs. Or perhaps our messengers never arrived.'

'I hear the Orc horn at the edge of the forest. They are coming. This is it. I must find safety for Elahir. Valar please save my daughter, please save Middle Earth's last hope!'

Gandalf released a breath.

"Elahir. Elahir where have i heard that name," he thought aloud and released a breath he had not realised he had been holding. He popped the book into his bag to take with him. He then looked at another large trunk still hitched to the back of the carriage. He used his sword to uncouple it. It fell but did not open. Upon inspection he found it had an intricate lock to protect it from prying hands.

"Bullocks," he muttered.

He followed the trees directions back to Tree Beard who was in a clearing.

"Wizard!" the tree herder greeted jovially. "What have you found?"

"I have found some information, but i cannot reveal that until i have confirmed it. For that, i will need to leave the forest to further my investigation." At this revelation Tree Beard appeared crest fallen.

"Aye, I understand," he concluded.

"I would like to meet the child," Gandalf spoke, snapping Tree Beard's attention back to him.

"To what purpose?"

"I can assist in her learning and perhaps learn a little more about her too, she can't stay here all her life so she should prepare for what lies outside the forest," Gandalf reasoned. What he said was true but he had ulterior motives to want to meet the elf-child.

Tree Beard thought for a moment and look critically at the wizard. He sighed and stood. "Very well."

Gandalf followed Tree Beard through the forest, not sure where it was the tree header was leading him. Soon he heard the unmistakable sound of a stream. Tree Beard stopped and looked along the banks.

"Penneth," he said, spotting something on the bank further down.

Gandalf saw movement. He focused as a tall, slender figure stood from the root of the tree it was reclining. She looked to be no more than thirty years old but from all the accounts he had taken on from Tree Beard and the books she had to be closer to being past her first hundred. Her skin was not as pale as that of her kin, her hair too was different he saw as she got closer. He moved to stand in front of Tree Beard, and she saw him for the first time.

Suddenly, she took on a defensive stance and crouched, her eyes narrowing. It was the narrowing of her eyes that caught his attention then. Whereas most elven eyes lingered between the colours of grey, blue or occasionally green depending on the mood and bloodlines, hers were in fact an amber colour. At this very moment they were a dark amber, close to a light brown. He raised his hands in the air slowly, showing he meant no harm.

"Penneth, he is a friend," Tree Beard spoke again to calm the elf's nerves.

Gandalf heard a growl not far ahead of him. He looked in surprise to see two ice blue eyes glaring back at him from the shadows.

"He means no harm, Penneth," Tree Beard said once more, but this time looking at the shadows where the growl had come.

Penneth looked from tree herder to Gandalf and then back, her eyes roved the Ent's face for some sign. Her eyes flickered for a moment from unsure and then to decisive. She stood up and relaxed.

"Tithen lum, be calm," she called to the shadow that belonged to the ice blue eyes. They blinked and then were gone.

The tall and slender elf approached. Her skin was a light olive, her hair was a rich brown that faded to a golden blonde at the ends that seemed to shine even in the low light of the forest. She walked lithely yet cautiously over a log that spanned the stream. Her steps were light, he saw pointed ears beneath her long hair that was braided.

She never took her eyes off Gandalf, as if half expecting him to launch an attack at any time. He also noted a curiosity within her eyes. 'Her eyes...' He could not move past her eyes, they were not of a colour he was used to seeing amongst the elves, or men for that matter. They were now a golden amber that also reflected the little light of the forest and made her look animalistic as she crept closer.

"Pa, who is this?" she demanded. Her voice was melodic yet harsh at the same time, like speaking softly was not something she did often.

"I go by many a name, my dear," he answered for Tree Beard. "The trees know me as Mithrandir, my name of men is Gandalf."

She cocked her head to the side, adding to her animalistic traits. "Mithrandir," she repeated and then added as an after thought "Mae Govennen," in perfect Sindarin.

Gandalf raised his eye brows in surprise. "You know the language of elves, child?"

"Yes, the trees have taught me Sindarin," she rolled the words off her tongue like it was her first language and not her second.

"What else do you know, child?" he asked finding a root to sit on. Penneth looked up at Tree Beard who nodded and also found a way to settle himself in a manner.

"What do you mean?" she queried, not sure how to answer.

"Do you hunt?" he asked thoughtfully. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Yes, Pa explained to me a tool he had seen before, a bow. I fashioned myself one so I could hunt and kill game."

Gandalf nodded, seeing a grimace appear on Tree Beard's bark covered face. He understood where it came from. The tree herders were protectors of their forests and its inhabitants. He must have had a lot of love for the child to let her harm any being of the forest.

"Can you read?" he queried curiously. She looked taken aback at this new question.

"Read?" she repeated the word as if it were foreign to her, Gandalf nodded, his mind still mulling over different thoughts and ideas, and moved onto his next question.

"Do you know of what race you belong?"

She looked from him to Tree Beard, as if seeking approval. Tree Beard looked grim but nodded once to her. "The trees believe me to be elven, I would not know for sure."

"And what of the history of Middle Earth, do you know any of that?" he pulled his sack in front of him and began rifling through his possessions.

"No, I know the history of the tree herders and the forest though," she answered, appearing doubtful. Gandalf pulled out several leather bound objects, she watched him with great curiosity.

"My dear, it's time you learnt of the world outside the forest, you may yet need to join it one day."

Another chapter for you all. I hope you enjoy it