Four - Imladris

“Princess Verena, Mithrandir,” Lindir greeted the two of us in an elvish salute. “Ah, Lindir," Gandalf smiled. “We heard you had crossed into the Valley," He spoke in Elvish. 

“We must speak with my uncle,” I told him. “My Lord Elrond is not here,” “Where is he?” We heard the same horn from the valley and turned to see a returning Elf party returning. “Close ranks!” Thorin yelled as they began to circle the Dwarves. 

Elrond rode in. “Verena, my niece!” he smiled. “Where have you been, uncle?” I asked in Elvish. “We’ve been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the Hidden Pass," He explained and got off his horse to embrace Gandalf and I. 

“Strange of Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something or someone has drawn them near," He stated. “That may have been us," Elrond looked over at the rest of our company and Thorin walked over to us. 

“Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain," Elrond greeted him. “I do not believe we have met,” Thorin said suspiciously. “You have your Grandfather’s bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain,” Elrond told him. “Indeed? He made no mention of you,” Thorin deadpanned and Elrond welcomed Thorin in Elvish. 

“What is he saying? Does he offer us insults?” Gloin said, defensively. “No, Master Gloin, he’s offering you food," Gandalf told him. The Dwarves discuss amongst themselves then turn back to us. “Ah, Well. In that case, lead on,” 

“Ver, Alek is here, would you like me to send for him?” Elrond asked as we made our way inside. “No, I will find him later,” I smiled at the offer and he nodded.

This may not go as originally planned.

~~~

“This is Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West. My kin," He explained and handed the sword back to Thorin. “May it serve you well,” He gave it to Thorin, who nodded in respect. 

“And this is Glamdring. The Foe-hammer, sword of the King of Gondolin. How did you come by these?” Elrond finished with a question. “We found them in a troll hoard on the Great East road, shortly before we were ambushed by Orcs,” Gandalf told him. “And what were you doing on the Great East Road?” 

“Verena!” a voice shouted with excitement. I turned in my seat to see Alek. “What are you doing here?” Alek asked me as I hugged him then looked at Thorin. 

“Thorin Oakenshield. I never thought we’d cross paths again,” Alek said and held out his arm for Thorin and he accepted. “It is good to see you,” Alek said and Thorin nodded. 

“Who told you I was here?” I asked. “Penrose galloped into Rivendell,” He answered and I smiled. I knew she wouldn’t be missing forever.

~~~

Later that night, Elrond, Gandalf, Alek, Thorin, Balin, Bilbo, and I met in private, discussing the map. “Our business is no concern of Elves," Thorin said. “For goodness sake, Thorin, we don’t know what it says and he can help," I told him. “It is the legacy of my people. It’s mine to protect. As are its secrets," Thorin said proudly. 

“Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond!” Thorin reluctantly took out the map. “Thorin, no!” Balin said but he handed the map to Elrond. 

“Erebor. What is your interest in this map?” Elrond asked. “Academic purposes, Thorin thought I would be able to read it but was quick to be disappointed when I recognized the dialect, but not what it read,” I answered. “You still read ancient dwarvish, yes?” I asked and Thorin nodded to me, gratefully. 

“Cirth ithil,” he read from the map. “Moon runes. An easy thing to miss,” Gandalf stated. “Well in this case, that is true. Moon runes can only be read by the light of the moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were written,” Elrond informed us. “Can you read them?”

Elrond led us to a cliff with a stone slab in the middle and a waterfall rushing past the opening. “These runes were written on a mid-summer’s eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago,” Elrond put the map on the stone.

“It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield. The same moon shines upon us tonight," Elrond told him and the moon’s light shown on the map, to reveal the runes.

“Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin’s Day will shine upon the keyhole,” Elrond translated. 

“Durin’s Day?” Bilbo asked. “The start of the Dwarvish new year when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky,” Alek explained. 

“This is ill news. Summer is passing, Durin’s Day will soon be upon us,” Thorin stated. “We still have time,” Balin told him. “Time, for what?” Bilbo asked. “To find the entrance. We have to be standing at exactly the right spot, at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened," Balin explained.

Alek took my arm and led me back inside. “What’s he planning?” He demanded. “It’s none of your concern,” I shook my arm from him and began walking away quicker. “It is when my sister is involved,” He snapped, taking my hand and turning me back to him. “I can take care of myself,” I countered.

“Does Thorin Oakenshield plan to enter Erebor?” He asked but I didn’t look at him. “Are you serious? And you planned on going with him?!” He shouted. “Would you like the truth?” I asked, looking at him 

“You can’t go. You won’t,” He stated. “That is not your decision to make, Aleksander,” I said. “You are coming back to Ezeria with me,” he told me as if I had no other choice. 

“I will not be trapped behind the gates of Tiseah anymore!” I shouted. “I didn’t know you felt like you were trapped,” he said softly. “Would it have made any difference?” I asked. 

“Travelling Middle Earth was my passion then you and Nik caged me like a bird when those spiders got me," I said. “I don’t want to lose you,” He said. “You need to trust me, Alek. It was one time where I was unprepared,” I clarified. 

“I don’t think this is wise,” I rolled my eyes and turned away. “But I don't want to be the reason for your unhappiness,” I turned to him and he smiled sadly. 

“I won’t stop you, but you have to be careful through Greenwood. We almost lost you there once and none of us can go through that again. I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like if we had,” He finished and I walked up to him and pulled him into a hug. “You know I will be,” I promised. 

“I have something I want to show you,” I smiled.