The oddly matched pair spent nearly a month traveling the road to Gondor. Gandalf kept stopping the wagon at little villages along the way and speaking with the elders. Estella thought that this was just what wizards do when they travel. She never suspected that he was really searching for any legends or tales about the missing heir of Gondor. He always waited until she was playing with the other children of the villages.
Gandalf quickly fell in love with the small enchantress. He realized that, in her eyes, he was her protector from the unknown. She brought a smile to his face every day on the long journey. She sang children's songs and made up stories to make the hours go by faster in on the road. The only time she was silent was when she was studying the pictures of the book of legends Gandalf had found for her in one of the towns. She slept under his watchful eye and he gave her the choice meats from their many meals on the road. But, Gandalf noticed, she never became spoiled. She always thanked him and tried to help in any way possible. Gandalf thought back to how calm Arwen had been as a child, and how wild and adventurous young Aragorn had been. He found Estella an amusing mix of the two.
Though Gandalf searched through many libraries and spoke to many elders, he could not find an inkling of what would have made Arwen so afraid for her daughter. If it had been any other woman, any other queen, Gandalf would have given up. But he knew Arwen. She must have known something.
Finally, the White City loomed before them. It was just after sunrise.
"Estella? Estella, open your eyes and see our final stop!"
Estella, sleepy-eyed and her hair a tumble of curls, peeped up from the back of the wagon. She gasped when she saw the sheer beauty of the city. Gandalf knew she did not see what his sharp eyes saw. The city was still magnificent. Yet, there were no bright flowers or cloths flying from the market place. Even the palace flags seemed dim and weathered. The city itself seemed much quieter. With a grunt, Gandalf steered his horse into the city walls.
Gandalf guided the wagon up the first level of the city, and tied his wagon near the marketplace. He unhooked his horse and set Estella up on the saddle as he walked beside her. Up and up they went, closer and closer to the palace. Estella was smiling at all the people, who smiled to see such a pretty little girl. Gandalf kept his riding cloak on and went by without notice.
When they reached the top, and stood across from the main doors, Gandalf helped Estella down and set her by the White Tree. Gandalf could not help but notice that the tree had seen better days.
"Stay right here until I come out for you. I am going to see what is going on inside the castle walls. I will come back out for you shortly." He then handed the rains of a stable boy who had come running up. He walked across the stone tile, noting that there were not many people about, and headed into the castle.
Estella stood facing the dead-looking tree. She stepped over the little fence of stones and walked until she was but only a few inches away. She looked up at the tree with a concentration the guard on duty found amusing.
"That tree has been dead for a few years now," he said. He mentally kicked himself as he wondered why he would say such a thing to a child. But, he reasoned, he didn't do well with children in the first place. He gave her a gruff smile.
Estella didn't even look at him. She reached forward with her hand and touched the tree. As she did so, a little breeze came up the city walls and blew gently across her face. She smiled in delight as she turned to the guard.
"No, it is not dead. It is merely sleeping." She skipped down from the tree and gave a small curtsy in front of him. "I am Estella. Who are you?" She asked with the bluntness of children.
"I am Bourru," he answered with a nod.
She made to speak again, but at that moment, Gandalf reappeared through the great doors.
"Estella! Come see the castle, my dear."
Estella bobbed another curtsey to the guard, who watched as she ran towards the castle. The great door seemed to swallow her into the darkness.
