Nine - Mirkwood

*Cleos POV*

The quest to retake Erebor is no longer secret. At least, to those who knew it was happening, Alek and I saw the signs.

Nikolas wasn’t far behind. He was piecing together that she left to help them when he sent me to find her. Mirkwood is the best lead I have. She and the others would be passing through somewhere.

I’m lucky enough to keep my head in these woods. The spiders have gotten worse and I can only tell by the webs. 

Footsteps trekked behind me. I stopped and pulled out my bow to aim it at Legolas. “Cleos? What are you doing in these parts?” He asked in Elvish. “Looking for Verena. She left Ezeria. Her journey was meant to bring her through here,” I explained.

Legolas put his bow back in his quiver and rolled his eyes. “Was she travelling with Dwarves?” He asked in annoyance “Yes,” I answered, unsurely. “With Thorin Oakenshield?” he asked even more annoyed. 

How does he know? 

“Do you know where she is?” I asked in the common tongue and walked closer to him. “We found the Dwarves in a nest a day ago, but she wasn’t with them,” 

~~~

“Thorin,” I stopped in front of his cell. He stood up and looked at me and frowned. “What do you want?” he asked. “Where is Verena Tempest?” Legolas demanded. “Why should I tell you?” He chuckled. “I was sent to find her and you know where she is,” I began to get mad at the Dwarf’s stubbornness. 

“She left us just before we entered these woods,” He sighed. “How long ago?” I pressed. “I do not know,” he answered. 

“Is there anything you do know?” I asked. “Not with the princeling,” he scoffed and Legolas rolled his eyes. “I need to find her,” I told the Dwarf. “With him?” he nodded to Legolas. 

“Verena is the next in line for the throne of Tiseah, A Tempest. Not a simple Wanderer or Ranger,” Legolas seethed and Thorin laughed. “And you will be the one to find her, yes? She isn’t in this forest which makes her whereabouts none of your business,” He told him. 

“You said it yourself, you don’t know how long you’ve been in these woods. She could be looking for you,” I told him and he shook his head. “She told us what those spiders did to her. She wouldn’t come after us by herself, or even with a wizard,” he fired back. 

“You would be surprised by her loyalty to friendship. Given she went with your company at all means something. Maybe it was just to get out of Tiseah, but she sees you as a friend and a good one,” I told him.

“Legolas’ involvement won’t endanger her unless you don’t tell me where she is so I will ask once more; Is there anything else I need to know to find Verena?” I repeated. “She rode with Gandalf at some speed. I don’t know where they went, just north,” he finished. “Thank you,” I said before walking away. 

~~~

“I’ll be leaving as soon as I can. She could be anywhere and she moves quickly,” I told Legolas in Elvish. “I’ll watch the borders for her and bring her here if she enters Mirkwood,” He assured. “Thank you, my friend,” I smiled.

“My Lord Legolas, the Dwarves have escaped and we are under attack, there are Orcs at the border!” A guard ran to us and we followed him to the gates that followed the river.

We ran out to Orcs everywhere and the Dwarves had somehow made their way down the stream without getting killed. I unsheathed my sword and began cutting through Orcs. The Dwarves were past the watergate and I followed them down the stream. Legolas caught up to me and jumped on the Dwarves to get across the stream. 

When the last Orc was killed and the rest ran off, we stood on opposite sides of the stream and watched the Dwarves float down the river in barrels. 

Metal clashed and Tauriel stopped an Orc from shooting Legolas. “Tauriel, wait! This one we keep alive,” he stopped her and the rest of the Orcs chased the Dwarves down the stream.

~~~

“You were tracking a company of thirteen Dwarves. Why?” Legolas asked the Orc. “Not thirteen, not anymore,” He laughed and looked at Tauriel. “The young one, the blackhead archer, we stuck him with a Morgul shaft. The poison’s in his blood, he’ll be choking on it soon,” He smiled and her mood changed. “Answer the question, filth,” She demanded. 

“I do not answer to dogs, She-elf!” He yelled in black speech. Tauriel got her sword out. “You like killing things, Orc? You like death? Then let me give it to you!” Tauriel went to strike the Orc but Thranduil stopped her. 

“Enough, Tauriel. Leave us,” She walked away at Thranduil's command. “I do not care about one dead Dwarf. Answer the question, you have nothing to fear. Tell us what you know and I will set you free,” Thranduil said kindly 

“You had orders to kill them, why? What is Thorin Oakenshield to you?” I asked. “The Dwarf runt will never be king,” the Orc muttered. “King? There is no King under the mountain, nor will there ever be. None would dare to enter Erebor whilst the dragon lives,” Legolas said. 

“You know nothing. Your world will burn,” he said sadistically. “What are you talking about? Speak!” Legolas demanded. “Our time has come again. My master serves the One. Do you understand now, Elfling? Death is upon you. The flames of war are upon you,” The Orc laughed. With one swift movement, Thranduil cut off the Orc’s head.

“Why did you do that? You promised to set him free,” Legolas asked. “And I did. I freed his wretched head from his miserable shoulders,” He answered. “There was more the Orc could tell us,” I reasoned. “There was nothing more he could tell me,” Thranduil said and looked at me before walking away.

“What did he mean by the flames of war?” Legolas asked and Thranduil turned back to him. “It means they intend to unleash a weapon so great it will destroy all before it,” He answered then went back to walking away and we followed close behind. 

“I want the watch doubled at our borders, all roads, all rivers. Nothing moves but I hear of. No one enters this kingdom and no one leaves it,” He ordered. 

“My Lord, I need to leave the forest to find Verena,” I said. He turned back to me, frowning. “No one enters this kingdom and no one leaves it,”

~~~

He’s mad if he thinks I’m going to abandon my mission. 

I was packing my things when Legolas barged in. “Tauriel left before we sealed the gates. Will you come with me to get her?” Legolas offered. “You would defy your father?” I asked. 

“Will you come with me?” He asked impatiently. “I still need to find Ver,” I said. “Then we will find her too,”