Twenty Seven - Alive?

~Five Days Later~

“Princess Verena-” “Where are Arwen and Frodo, Lindir?” I asked. 

“The Hobbit is healing. Your uncle asked me to tell you to meet him the moment you got back,” He answered. 

“My uncle can wait. I wish to see Frodo first,” I said and marched past him, the three other Hobbits following closely.

~~~

“He will be fine, Ver,” Arwen said as she sat next to me and I watched the sleeping Hobbit. “I should have never left them alone on that mountain. I knew better,” I muttered.

“It is not your fault, cousin. He will be fine and all will be well,” She touched my hand. “But will it?” I asked. “As long as the Ring exists, it curses everyone in this world,” I whispered, pointing at the small object hung around Frodo’s neck. 

“Do not concern yourself with such things yet, Ver. My father called for a council and they will handle it,” She said. “Nik will be coming to Rivendell,” I sighed. 

“Verena,” I looked up to see Gandalf in the doorway and I stared at him in confusion. “Gandalf?” I asked. “Arwen, my dear, would you leave us, please?” Elrond asked and she nodded, walking out. “Why are you here?” I asked. 

“Saruman is no longer a friend. He fights for Sauron,” Gandalf said and I huffed in frustration. “That is not all, Ver,” He continued. “What is it?” I asked. 

“Your brother is alive,” Gandalf said and I stared at him. 

“What?” I asked. “I said Aleksander-” “I heard you, I just- Alek? My brother, Alek?” I asked and he nodded. 

“How are you sure? Where is he?” I questioned. “Saruman has kept him under his control with… the Tempest Ring,” Gandalf said and I let out a shaky breath. 

“I could have saved him from this,” I closed my eyes and looked up. 

“Ver, there was nothing you could have done. You were in Erebor, half a world away,” My uncle said and touched my shoulder. 

“I should have been there,” I let a tear fall. “We would have lost the Battle of the Five if you hadn’t set fire to the Orcs on the battlefield,” Gandalf said. 

“Do my brothers and sisters know?” I asked. “We plan to tell Nikolas when he arrives with your uncles and Hadrian,” Elrond said. “Good. I want to be there when you tell them,” I said. 

“We thought you would want to tell him,” Gandalf said. “Vardos and Martarys had suspicions of the Tempest Ring, but I didn’t listen,” I said. 

“Everything will be alright,” Elrond assured me.

~~~

After Frodo woke up, I was relieved by his lively state. I didn’t stay around him too long, knowing he would want to see his uncle.

I stood by the gates as we waited for my brothers and uncles to arrive. This was going to be hard, and it became worse the longer I thought about it. Horses galloped closer and I stood straighter, waiting for them. 

The first to ride in was Martarys and Hadrian, then Nikolas and Vardos with Elves just behind them. 

“Ver,” Nik said as he got off his horse, walking to me quickly and hugging me. “Hello, Nik,” I whispered and hugged him. 

“Ver!” Hadrian shouted and I looked over Nikolas’ shoulder. “Little brother,” I smiled and walked over to hug him. 

“Thank the Valar you’re alright,” Martarys said. “You gave us quite a scare in the message Elrond had sent,” Vardos said. “I’m alright,” I said. 

“Verena,” I turned to Legolas with a smile. He hugged me tightly, refusing to let me go. “Hello, Greenie,” I joked and he chuckled. 

“Do not ever scare me like that again,” He said, looking me in the eyes. “I can’t make any promises,” I said. “Didn’t you know trouble follows her everywhere?” Hadrian asked and we laughed. 

“I’ll show you to your quarters and…” I trailed off. “Elrond needs to speak with us,” I said shortly, walking out of the yard with them following me.

~~~

“And you’re sure it was him?” Nik asked Gandalf. “The only difference was in his eyes; they were clouded by the curse of the Tempest Ring,” Gandalf answered. 

“We were right,” Vardos sighed in frustration. “I don’t like it when we’re right,” Martarys continued as I sat next to Hadrian. 

“Are you alright?” I asked quietly as they continued. “We’ve spent the last sixty years, thinking he was dead. We had a damn burial for his false body and now he’s alive?” Hadrian asked. 

“We will get him back,” I assured him. 

“I will make sure of it,”