Nineteen - Long Awaited

“Good morning,” Le greeted me as he walked over to the archery targets. The sun wasn’t up yet, so I was throwing knives. 

“You didn’t come back after talking with Nikolas,” He said and I threw a knife, dead centre. “He said no,” I said and he nodded. 

“Why are you up this early?” He asked. “I’m always up this early, Greenie,” I said and threw a knife, planting it next to the previous few in the middle.

“I wake before dawn, throw daggers, the sun rises, I switch to my bow. After Zion comes out to spy on me, I stop and spar with him. When Cleos wakes, the three of us train together until Dessa yells at us for being late to breakfast,” I explained as I threw the knives, each of them finding their mark. 

“You realise that morning practice is excessive?” he asked and I shook my head. “Not really, this is the only time I have to practise. I keep my days busy,” I tell him. He reached out to take a dagger and I let him. “What do you do?” He asked and threw it at his target, meeting one of the outer rings. I fought a laugh and looked at him then the target. 

“Crime hearings, there aren’t many but it still happens,” I answered, pretending to not notice his poor aim. “Helping Thallan with the city guard and the gate. On rare occasions, Martarys lets me help train soldiers,” I threw more knives and each of them etched a heart into the target. “Show off,” he muttered and I tried my best to ignore it.

 “The occasion that annoys me most is when Dessa arranges for me to meet suitors behind my back,” I threw a knife directly in the middle of the heart and Le looked between the target then at me. I walked over and pulled the knives off. 

“What’s wrong with suitors?” he asked. “Marriage will tie me down. It is not what I want,” I explained as we walked back. “What if your ‘possible husband’ went with you?” he asked. 

“I prefer to travel alone, it’s quieter,” I deadpanned and threw the knife. “You went with those Dwarves and you asked to come with Aragorn and I,” he took one of the knives and threw it, a little better but not much. 

“Here,” I stood in front of him and put my hands on his shoulders and pulled him back and pushed his shoulders down. “You’re too tense. Keep your left foot forward then step when you throw,” I said and moved aside. He threw it again, meeting the inner ring. 

“I was desperate… I am desperate,” I said. 

“Nikolas is your king, Ver. He has already said you are not to leave Ezeria,” he warned. 

“What did you say when your king, your father, banished Tauriel and ordered you home?” I asked, remembering the morning after Smaug was killed. 

“He is my King, but he does not command my heart,” he repeated from the lake. “Same as my brother does not command mine. I want to leave to help those who I vowed to protect over a thousand years ago. And as of the past seventy years, I have not been true to that oath,” I countered.

“Why is he keeping you here if he knows wish to leave?” he asks. “Martarys and Vardos believe Sauron has the Tempest Ring. Martarys and I talked about it, I’m sure they’ve told Nik,” I continued in a whisper. 

“And you do not think he does?” he asked. “I am not scared of him, even if he does have the Tempest Ring, or if he finds the Ring of Power, I will not run and hide,” Le looked at me with concern in his eyes.

“The only power he has is military forces he is reckoning and making the Orcs he breeds believe their time has come. Without them, he is vulnerable with no power he can call his own. He has no power, and that is why everyone forgets he is a Tempest,” I finished. 

“I know you’re still mourning Alek, but maybe they are right,” He insisted. “What?” I shouted and he held his hands up. “Let me explain,” he reasoned. 

“Yes, he killed Alek. But what if he was not the Tempest he wants? His eye watches everything, what if he has been weighing his options and awaits a certain Tempest to leave the safety of Ezeria?” he explained. 

“I don’t want you to get hurt or taken either, Ver, but leaving might be what he wants you to do,” he started. “If you leave, you should not travel alone. I want you to come with Aragorn and I so I know you’re safe. Maybe I can reason with Nikolas, just him and I,” he suggested. 

“He’s going to say no,” I scoffed. “Would you like me to try or not?” he asked. “Yes,” I answered. “Then I will talk to him,” He finished. “Thank you, Le,” I smiled. “Anything for my favourite Tempest,” He replied. “Don’t let the others hear you say that,”

~~~

“How long have you been waiting here?” Hadrian laughed. I’m sitting on a bench outside of the throne room and waiting for Nik and Le. “None of your business,” I muttered and he sat next to me. 

“He’s going to say no, isn’t he?” I asked after a while. “Legolas has made some very good points,” I leaned against the wall behind me with a sigh. 

“Shouldn’t you be in there with Nik anyway, kingsguard?” I taunted. “He asked me to come sit with you,” he answered. 

“Why does Legolas want you to go with him and the ranger?” He asked. “Because I asked,” I answered. “I think it’s something else,” he smirked. “Enlighten me, baby brother,” I huffed. “He loves you, Ver,” He said in a serious tone. I laughed. “Le and I have been friends since before you were born. You’re confusing the two,” I dismissed. 

“Verena, I’m an Empath. I’ve been reading other feelings for thousands of years. I know the difference,” He said. 

“Hadrian, he fell in love with Tauriel. Elves do not move on just like that,” I corrected. “This was years before he met Tauriel. Everyone sees it when he looks at you. And you look at him the same way,” My eyes shot to him.

“Stop. Before you say something that will get you in trouble,” I threatened and he smiled. “You just proved it,”

I shot a ball of fire at him and he yelped and fell. Damn fireproof armour. “Leave it, Hadrian,” I warned. “Fine,” he grunted. 

“What did you do to our brother?” Nikolas asked from behind me. “He played with fire and got burnt,” I said simply. 

Legolas walked down the corridor away from us and I looked back at Nikolas. 

“What is your decision?” I asked and he looked at me. 

~~~

“How did you do it?” I asked Le as I ran to catch up with him. “Do what?” he asked. “Convince him! I’ve been trying to leave for years, then you show up and it only takes one conversation,” I answered. 

“Nikolas can be reasonable,” he smiled. I smiled and hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Le, you have no idea how much this means to me,” I thanked him. “Of course, Ver,” he replied. 

I let go of him and laughed. “I’m finally leaving Ezeria! No burdening secrets, no life-endangering quests,” “No stubborn Dwarves,” he finished for me. 

“They aren’t as bad as you think, Greenie. Some of them can be kind. Thorin was kind and before the sickness got to him, and his nephews were always good boys,” I reasoned. 

“The black haired one had it in for me,” he muttered. “Kili and Tauriel had love at first sight. It’s a rare phenomenon. I know you loved her but they would have been happy,” I smiled softly.

“I did not love her any more than a trusted friendship,” he corrected. “My heart belonged to someone else long before I met her,” he switched to Elvish. “And who is she?” I asked curiously. 

He looked at me and shook his head. “Fine then, don’t think I won’t find out,” I said and he chuckled. “Once this is over, I will tell her. After I do that, I will tell you,” he promised. 

“That could be years,” I groaned. “I’m good at secret keeping, you know,” I whispered. “You may be known for persistence and stubbornness, but I am not telling,” He chuckled. “It was worth a try,” I sighed. 

“When do we leave?” I changed the subject. “Two days from now. Aurelia says Aragorn will be fully healed tomorrow and we’ll have time to regather supplies,” he explained and I nodded. “I’ll be ready,”

*Nikolas POV*

“What can we do for you, Legolas?” Vardos asked. “I have come to ask your permission to bring Verena with me and Aragorn when we leave,” Legolas asked. “Did she tell you to ask me this?” I asked. “I offered,” He answered. 

“Why do you want her to go with you?” Martarys asked. “With respect, she is bound to run away. I don’t want her to get hurt either,” He said. “She knows how to protect herself,” I announced. 

“Then why have you not let her leave?” He asked. “Forgive me, but it is no secret that Verena can take care of herself. Why not let her go on her adventures again?” He continued. 

“Nikolas, what we have warned you of-” “I am aware of the rumours and your beliefs,” I stopped Martarys, dismissively.

“Hadrian, go sit with her outside,” I told my brother. He nodded and walked out of the hall. I don’t want them knowing of the Tempest Ring. “Vardos,” I said and looked at him. “Not only are you my uncle, but my most trusted advisor. What do you think?” I asked. 

He sighed and looked at Legolas. “Let her go,” He looked back at us. “He will never be able to touch her, Martarys. Her power alone is enough to send him to the deepest caverns in Mordor.”

“Legolas Greenleaf,” I announced and Vardos and Martarys moved aside as I walked toward the Elf. “Do you swear to protect Verena Tempest, shield her life with yours, if need be?” I asked. “I do, forever and always,” He nodded. 

“I wouldn’t ask you to swear anything if my advisors and myself didn’t have heavy suspicions of what stirs in Mordor,” I said. “I don’t want anything to happen to her either,” He said. 

“You can go, I will tell her,” I said and he bowed and turned. “Legolas,” I said before he reached the door. He turned and looked back at me. “You love her, don’t you?” I asked. 

“Your family has been part of my life since we were children, Nikolas. I care about her deeply, but you mistake a friend’s love for something else,” He corrected. “Am I?” I asked. He left my question unanswered and walked away. 

*Verena POV*

I stood in the open stable with Penrose, putting her saddle on when footsteps walked in. “Verena, are you in here?” Aragorn called. “Here,” I answered and he walked over. 

“It’s time,” He said and walked into the stable. “I’m ready,” I said. I held Penrose’s reins and walked her out to the grounds by the gates. 

“Said your goodbyes?” Legolas asked. “Yeah,” I nodded. “Ver!” Zion shouted as he ran toward us. “Zion, what’s wrong?” I asked. He continued running to us until he ran straight into me with a hug. 

“I didn’t get to say bye,” he reasoned. I smiled and hugged him tighter. “I will be back,” I promised. “When?” he asked. “I do not know,” I sighed. “I’ll write when we get to Bree,” I said and he nodded. 

“Goodbye, Zion,” I said and he hugged me again. “Goodbye, Ver,” he whispered. After he let go, I got on Penrose and he went back inside. “Are you ready?” Legolas asked. 

“Always,”