The eagle landed on the outskirts of Rivendell staying on the ground just long enough for Gandalf and Caunwen to dismount. "Once we cross the river, we will be protected by the power of my people," she stated as she looked ahead into the forest.

Gandalf nodded as he moved forward and followed her into the trees. "We do not have to fear at the moment because we do not possess the ring. The Nazgul will not be after us. Are you feeling better?" he asked, regarding the attack. Her face still looked worse for wear.

Caunwen nodded as she walked through the familiarity of the trees. She felt it was important to breach the subject of the prophecy as they made their journey, "Do you believe Saruman was telling the truth about us when we were there or was that part of the delusional state he's fallen into?"

Gandalf sighed deeply at the memory of their time spent in Isengard but nodded, "He was telling the truth about everything. The orb he had in that chamber does indeed tell the future but it does not show all the futures that are possible. He has chosen to believe that good can not win and darkness is the only choice however, I have faith. What he said about you and I and the prophecy was true and very correct. I suspect that once we are settled in within Rivendell, we should take care with our valuable time. What is your opinion of all of this?" he asked, looking down on her with a gentle smile curling from his lips.

Caunwen knew there was no use in being anything but honest so she took a very deep breath and bared her heart to the wizard, "Mithrandir… I mean, Gandalf, it has been my desire for many years to be yours. I have looked upon you with love in my heart since your very first visit to Rivendell that I can remember. I never thought there was any real possibility for it so I just held my feelings in to myself. But, when my father told me the prophecy, though I knew it meant leaving home, I was very happy at the idea. What about you?"

Before Gandalf could respond, though was looking upon her with a tender expression on his face, they could hear horses trampling through the woods not far from where they walked.

"What do you think that was?" Caunwen asked, looking East where she heard the rustle of the leaves.

Gandalf shook his head as he made his way in that direction, grabbing her hand in a protective manner. What they saw when the reached the noise was shocking. The Nazgul was chasing a woman on a white horse. Caunwen knew it was Arwen.

"That's my sister!" she said in a panic, gripping Gandalf's hand tighter.

Gandalf planted his staff in the ground, releasing her hand so he could grip it more forcefully and he began uttering words that sounded beautiful. As he spoke it seemed that the Nagul's horses weren't able to run with as much speed as they had when they first found them. Caunwen knew Gandalf was attempting to Arwen as much time as possible to reach the river where she would be able to repel the Nazgul using the power of their people.

Caunwen held her breath as she watched but also noticed Gandalf's hands begin to shake as he held his staff, his powers were obviously too much for him since what had happened at Isengard. She knew if he could keep going just a little bit longer, Arwen would be to a safe distance. Caunwen closed her eyes and placed her hands on top of Gandalf's, giving him any strength her elvish powers held in the woods. She hoped it would be enough to grant Arwen's safety.

She felt Gandalf's hands steady under her own and within moments, his utterings stopped and they could hear the river crashing from a distance.

"She made it," Caunwen said, relieved as she looked at Gandalf who was now both pale and bloodied. "I must get you to Rivendell where you can take time to rest."

Gandalf nodded as he leaned heavily on his staff while they continued their journey. "I wanted to tell you my feelings before but we were interrupted," he began.

Caunwen placed her finger gently upon his lips, "Sh, we will have plenty of time for that once we are safe inside my home. Let us hurry before the Nazgul regain their footing. Surely, they know you assisted in my sister's escape."

"Your father is not going to appreciate the state I am returning you in," he replied with a very soft and weak chuckle.

Caunwen smiled as they stepped cautiously down to the river's edge where they would cross into Rivendell.