Hi everyone! I am back now! Thanks for the lovely reviews, as well as those who have favourited and followed. Now, we only got 2 reviews for the previous chapter...but it wasn't very exciting...so...well, I will take that as people did not enjoy the chapter so much.

I will try to improve. Now, before we begin, I want to talk about a 'review' I received. I recently sent a message around informing everyone of the new update. One reviewer came back that they will not be reading my story. I will not name the reviewer, but their PM reply was as follows:

Thank you for the head's up but I am not following your fine story. It is not in my line.

I respectfully replied, as I cannot, and do not wish, to force anyone to read my story. They sent another message soon after, talking about two things, and these were their words:

1 - a reviewer wrote that characters are "in character". This is hogwash - the prankster twins are fanon. There is nothing in canon to suggest they were. And they have spent the last 500 years butchering orcs. That is since Columbus for us.

2 - Maiar dying out. That made me wince. Such a statement says that the author has no idea what he or she is writing about.

Why write in a fandom you know so little about?

Now, I have stated in my author's notes that I have NOT read the books, and thus my knowledge is somewhat limited. Therefore, I was unaware that the prankster twins were a fan created idea. However, I do like that idea, and seeing as this is a fanfiction, I feel it is alright to take creative license. In regards to the Maiar, yes, again, I know little about their origins and lore. Yes, I don't know what I am writing about really, when it comes to the Maiar. But, like I have said in my authors notes, any knowledge is welcome. Feel free to review with pieces of information, or somewhere to find out info.

The real reason I featured this message in my author's note, is the final line: Why write in a fandom you know so little about?

Why?

I will say why. I fell in love with the story of Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit. I enjoyed the magic of the Hobbit book and films, and the dark, gritty Lord of the Rings films. I absolutely love the story, and have major respect for JRR Tolkien for creating such an incredible, complex set of stories. I write in this fandom for those reasons, and due to this being fanfiction, I believe it is alright for an author to take creative licenses.

Now, I do not wish that to come across as an angry rant. I really respect that reviewer for telling me how they feel about my story. It goes without saying, tell me how you feel about Apprentice. Point out anything you believe can be improved, share any lore that can be applied. I appreciate any and all reviews for my work.

I apologize for the long author's note, readers.

I really am sorry for the long author's note.

This chapter is rather short, and mostly dialogue, but this needed to be written. Enjoy ~


As Gandalf approached the forests of Isengard, he paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. The journey to Saruman had been a long, arduous one, rather dull, in fact. However, the discovery of Ithilwen had to be discussed. Gandalf was concerned about the possible reaction to the young elfling, another reason why Gandalf had traveled to Isengard, and not summoned Saruman to Rivendell. The matter would attract unwanted attention, from the more questionable beings of Middle Earth, so it was best to speak with the White Wizard as soon as were possible. Having cleared his thoughts, Gandalf urged his horse, Shadowfax, to continue on, the elderly wizard looking up at Isengard's grand tower, surrounded by beautiful, picturesque foliage, and sheltered by ancient trees, perhaps as old as Gandalf himself. The wizard reached the doors of Isengard within mere moments, shock coursing through the elderly man as he saw Saruman standing at Isengard's entrance, expression calm, and neutral.

"Gandalf. I sensed your presence. Why have you come to Isengard?" Saruman walked slowly down the steps, gripping his wizard's staff tightly, white robes almost shining with power.

"I have an urgent matter to speak with you about." Gandalf explained, dismounting his horse, and retrieving his own conduit of power.

"It must be urgent, for you to come unannounced." Saruman raised an eyebrow.

"Do forgive me for the intrusion, but this matter cannot simply wait."

"Is that the case? Well, you have travelled quite the distance, Gandalf, so I will not send you away. Come, if we are to speak of this matter of 'great importance', it is best we do so inside."

Nodding respectfully to the white wizard, Gandalf followed Saruman up the steps of Isengard, leaving Shadowfax in the safety of Isengard's forest.


When the two were seated in a council room, candles dimly lighting the room, Gandalf began his tale, speaking of his journey to Rivendell, and how he came across the scene of carnage in which he had found young Ithilwen. The wizard was about to continue, and speak of the elfling's hidden strength, when he was interrupted.

"An elfling? The child was still alive?" Saruman leant backwards in his chair.

"Yes. It is remarkable she survived, given that her parents did not." Gandalf nodded.

"I sense there is more to your tale. Continue." Saruman gestured for Gandalf to continue the story.

"When I held the elfling, I felt something rather strange. I used an enchantment, to see if the child was injured in any way, but instead I found something astonishing." Gandalf continued.

"Astonishing, you say?" Saruman narrowed his eyes.

"Very much so. The elfling possesses a sorcerer's core." Gandalf concluded.

"Are you sure of this, Gandalf?" Saruman frowned.

"I am, old friend. The strength this small elfling possesses is extraordinary." Gandalf reassured.

"How would an elfling possess a magical core? The only ones to have such cores were the Maiar, and it is not written that they fraternized with the elves."

"And yet, this child exists."

The room fell into silence, as Saruman thought on the matter. His first reaction had been one of shock, but now he was finding himself concerned. The power could overwhelm and corrupt the elfling as they grew, for such power had been unseen for centuries.

"The power will corrupt her." Saruman concluded. "Such power is...difficult to picture. An elf cannot wield the strength of that esteemed race."

"I will not let it corrupt Ithilwen." Gandalf spoke.

"Ithilwen?" Saruman spoke incredulously. "You named the child?"

"I did. Her name, if she had one, died with her parents, so I saw fit to bestow one upon her." Gandalf frowned.

"You grew attached to this...child?" Saruman's eyes narrowed.

"I will admit I am attached to the child." Gandalf answered.

"You say you will not let the power corrupt her. How do you intend on preventing such an event, Gandalf?" Saruman asked, straightening in his seat.

"I intend to pass my knowledge onto her."

"You mean to teach her our ways? Teach an elf the ways of a sorceror?"

"Indeed, I do."

"It cannot be done. Only a few elves have ever become able to wield magic. And those did not possess such a strong core."

"It can be done. I will not let Ithilwen be corrupted."

Another moment of silence passed, as the tension between the two wizards grew exponentially. Saruman eventually rose to his feet, pure power emanating from him.

"See that she is not." Saruman's voice deepened as his show of power grew, the room growing darker. "Such power could be used to terrible effect. If the child is corrupted, Gandalf, I will see fit to end her existence. Permanently."