Thirty Three - Lothlorien

“She is waiting for you,” Haldir said as he opened the door for me. I walked in and looked around the room. Shelves of books lined two walls, a fireplace with low flames and a desk in front of it. 

“My dear, Verena,” I looked to my right to see Galadriel smiling at me. She opened her arms and I walked over and embraced her. “I have missed you,” She said and I smiled. 

“I’ve missed you as well, Galadriel,” I smiled and she touched me cheek, looking me in the eye. “The enemy knows you have travelled here,” She said. 

“We lost Gandalf in Moria,” I whispered and she looked at me in shock. “He saved the Fellowship… by sacrificing himself,” I continued. “He has fallen into shadow,” She said and I nodded. “A Balrog took him,” I said. 

“The Fellowship needs Lorien’s protection. Only long enough to become stable again,” I asked. “Of course. You have it,” She nodded quickly. 

“Haldir,” She called and he opened the door. “Allow the others to pass the borders. Send them to the meeting hall. Lord Celeborn and I will speak with them,” She said and he nodded. 

“Send Iston with the message. I want them here quickly,” She added and he nodded again. “Yes, my lady,” He closed the doors. 

“Your sister has worried about you since the moment she gained knowledge of your connection to the Fellowship and the Ring. You should go see her,” She said. 

“What about the Fellowship?” I asked. “We will provide for them, darling. Do not worry,” She assured me. “Thank you, Lady Galadriel,” I said and she nodded. 

~~~

I knocked on the door of Esme’s house and it opened. “Verena?” I asked. “Hello, little sister,” I smiled and she hugged me tightly, pulling me inside. “If this is a trick, I will curse the one doing it,” She said and I chuckled. “I’m here, Esme,” I assured her.

“Who was it, mother?” Ozora asked as she wandered toward us. “Ozora,” I said and she ran to me. “Aunt Ver!” She shouted with a smile as I picked her up and hugged her. “Hello, little love,” I said and spun her, then put her back down. 

“Did you bring Legolas and Aragorn?” She asked and I laughed. “Yes, I did. They’ll be in the city soon,” I answered.

“I’m back, mother. Ver is in Caras Galadhon,” He said, not seeing me yet. “Iston,” Esme said and he looked at me. “Ver!” Iston shouted and hugged me. “Hello, Iston,” I said and hugged him back. 

“I just saw the Fellowship,” He said. “Where are they?” I asked. “Speaking with Celeborn and Galadriel,” He answered. “Verena, you need to take care of yourself before you worry about them. You look exhausted,” Esme said. “I am fine, Esme. Just a little power exhaustion,” I said. 

“That is even worse! Tell me, how often have you used your abilities in the last day?” she asked. “We had to get away from the enemy,” I reasoned and she looked at Iston, who nodded and took Ozora’s hand and walked out of the room. 

“You need to be more careful, Ver. I worry about you more than any of our other siblings,” She admitted. “You don’t need to, Esme. When the world is good again, I will go home,” I promised.

“And the Lands of the Undying?” She asked. “What about it?” I asked. “Will you go when this world is set right?” She asked. “I have not thought that far ahead yet,” I answered. 

“Why do you ask?” I asked. “Rumil and I have been talking… When Ozora is grown, we will go to the Grey Havens,” She answered hesitantly. “I know you don’t agree, but-” “If this is what you want, then I will support you,” I stopped her. She hugged me again, taking a deep breath. 

“Ver,” She said. “Yeah?” I asked. “You need to bathe. You smell… bad,” She said and I laughed. 

~~~

After a long hot bath, Esme let me borrow one of her dresses and said she’d mend the tears in my travel-wear after scrubbing in thoroughly. She’s always been the one taking care of us older siblings.

“Please, Esme, is she here?” Legolas asked in Elvish from the door. “She needs to rest, Legolas. She can not worry about the Fellowship,” Esme told him. 

I tied the ribbon on the dress and walked toward the doorway to Esme and Legolas. “Legolas?” I asked. “Ver,” He sighed in relief. “It is alright, Esme,” I said and she nodded, letting him in and walking away.

“You seem worried,” I said. “You did not come back,” He said. “Lady Galadriel told me I should see my sister,” I said.

“We are with my family, Legolas. The borders are protected. We’re not in harm's way anymore,” I assured him. 

“If I didn’t worry about you, who would?” He asked and I smiled. “Go back to the Fellowship. I will meet with you tonight,” I said and he nodded. He opened the door and I closed it behind him, resting my head on the frame. 

“You’re in love with him!” Esme shouted and I spun around and she smiled. “Say it a little louder so all of Caras Galadhon can hear you,” I said sarcastically. “There’s nothing wrong with loving someone, Verena. I’m not teasing, I just- I’m happy you found someone,” She continued. 

“Legolas loves another, Esme,” I said and she shook her head. “No, he doesn’t. I can see it,” She said, pointing at the door. “He told me there is another he loves. You know how Elves love. Forever,” I stopped her.

“But you love him,” She said. “That doesn’t matter. I made a vow to protect Middle Earth, a vow that I will put first,” I said and she sighed. 

“You deserve love, big sister. You have dealt with the dealings of this world for thousands of years. Allow yourself this,” She said. 

“Once this is over. Once the Ring is gone, I will let myself find someone,” I promised. “Good,” She said and I started walking back toward the guest room. 

“Ver,” she said and I turned around. “You would be happy together,”

~~~

“Are you sure it is alright?” Ozora asked in Elvish as we walked down to the Fellowship. “Of course I am, little love,” I assured her. 

“Ver!” Merry and Pippin shouted. “Did you think something happened?” I chuckled as they hugged me and the others looked at us. “You didn’t come back after you left,” Merry said. “We are safe, Merry, I promise,” I chuckled. 

“Ozora,” Legolas said and smiled. “Legolas!” She ran over to hug him. “This is my niece, Ozora. She is my sister’s daughter,” I said and she waved shyly. “How many Tempests live here?” Boromir asked. “My sister, Esme, and her children, Iston and Ozora,” I answered. 

“It is an honour to meet you, Lady Ozora. I am Gimli, son of Gloin,” Gimli said and she smiled at him. “I am pleased to meet you as well, Gimli, son of Gloin,” She replied. “What are your powers?” Pippin asked. 

She looked at me, slightly unsure and I nodded. “I control the weather,” She answered. “Can you show us?” Pippin asked. A moment later, it started raining a little. The Hobbits laughed and I stood next to her. 

“You are doing well, little love. Learning something like this is not an easy task,” I commented and she smiled.

“Mother once told me you could do all kinds of things with your power,” She said. “Really? Like what?” I asked, chuckling. 

“Grow plants, move mountains, start fires… end wars,” She said in awe. 

“All are true,” Legolas said from behind us. “I have seen her do it all,” He continued. “Really?” Ozora asked excitedly. 

“I used to watch her and your uncles practice in Greenwood. She would grow the most beautiful flowers, create mountains with the touch of her hand,” Legolas went on. 

“Fire dances in her eyes, Ozora. Your aunt Ver is the strongest woman I’ve ever met,” He continued. 

“Alright, that is enough of that. Ozora, why don’t you take Merry and Pippin into the forest and find the fireflies. You’ll find thousands at this hour,” I said and she nodded, walking over to the two hobbits and running into the forest with them.

“She wants to be like you,” He said. “That’s what scares me,” I sighed and sat down by a tree, watching them run through the wood. “Why?” Le asked as he sat next to me. “You know of the hardships we have faced. I do not want her near them,” I answered. 

“You do not want the world to take her innocence,” He said. “It was the same with Esme. None of us wanted her to grow up, we prayed she wouldn’t. Now, I hope the same for Ozora,” I said. 

“I see my brother and sister’s children as my own. I shouldn’t, but I do. They are family and I would do anything to protect them,” I continued. 

“That is quite the sentiment,” Le said. “You have to let her grow to become what she wants to be,” He continued and I sat back against the tree. 

“But what if I don’t want to?” I asked. “Time is an unforgiving concept, Ver. Even for people like us,” He chuckled.

“I know,” I sighed again. “But we have what is right now,” He said. “That, we do,” I smiled at him. “Ver, there’s something I want to tell you-” “There you are, lad!” Gimli said loudly from behind us. 

“Sorry, am I interrupting something?” He asked and I looked back at Le. “What is it you want to tell me?” I asked. “No-nothing. I will tell you later,” He answered and I nodded. 

“I ought to get Ozora back home. I promised Esme I’d stay with them tonight,” I said, standing. “I’ll see you in the morning,” I continued and they both nodded. 

“Goodnight, lassie,” Gimli said. “Goodnight, Gimli, Legolas,” I said. “Sleep well, Ver,” He said in Elvish and I walked toward the laughter to find Ozora.