Ten - Water Has Memory

*Verena POV*

“Princess Verena? What are you doing here?” Lindir asked in Elvish. “I must speak with my uncle immediately,” I demanded, walking past him. “Verena,” I turned to see Elrond with a concerned look on his face and he hugged me. 

I really have been gone for that long, haven't I?

~~~

“Gandalf has gone into Dol Guldur to force Sauron’s hand,” I told him once we were alone. “I thought you were travelling with the Dwarves,” he sighed. “We were with them for twelve months after we set off from here. We left them at the edge of Mirkwood. Gandalf and I travelled to the Tombs of the Nine,” I told him. “What did you find? Verena?” he asked and put his hand on my shoulders. 

“Their sealed tombs are open. The spells that once kept them in were broken. They were summoned to Dol Guldur. Gandalf told Radagast and I to tell you and Lady Galadriel he plans to force his hand. He asked us not to go after him but if we do nothing, Uncle, he will die,” I explained. He backed up and turned away. 

“Is there any way that you can speak with Lady Galadriel?” I asked. “I will speak with her and Saruman the White. We will not leave Gandalf to die. I promise you, my niece,” He rested his forehead against mine. 

“Alek is here as well, you should go see him,” he smiled. “Thank you, uncle,” I left the room and made my way down the corridors to Alek’s room. 

I knocked on the door. I hardly got a word out before he pulled me into a tight hug. “Ver,” he sighed. “Alek,” I smiled. 

“Where have you been? Cleos went to look for you a month ago,” he said in concern. “I spent a year running from Orcs and to get east,” I answered. “We got to the edge of Mirkwood when Gandalf told me that we have a different path,” I continued. 

I explained everything from the past year to him in a whispered voice. He listened intently until I finished. “Will you stay here until they come to a decision?” he asked. “I will,” I nodded. 

“How is Tiseah?” I asked. “Nikolas has been worried about you. Cleos was relieved to hear you were alright but like I said, he went after you a month ago. Nikolas found out you left with the Dwarves just after I left. He wanted me to convince Elrond to track you, but he wouldn’t. He said you needed to do this without Nik following,” he answered. “Sounds like our uncle,” I smiled.

“I wonder where Cleos is now, then,” I wondered aloud. “He went straight to Mirkwood, knowing you would have to have been there,” He told me. “Probably went to the Elves, no doubt,” I huffed. 

“What’s wrong with that?” He asked. “Thorin didn’t plan on making any contact with them,” I huffed. "Can you find him?" I asked. He closed his eyes with a concentrated look on his face. 

“A bank with Legolas Greenleaf and a silvan elleth with red hair,” He said. “Tauriel,” I said. I remember her from a few hunts. She was a good fighter, without a doubt, and a kind heart.

“A riverbank?” I asked and he nodded. I thought, tapping my finger on my crossed forearm, then jumped off the bed, running down the hall and to the waterway through the city, Alek close behind.

“I can speak to him through the water,” I said. “Have you spoken to someone through water before?” He asked. “Yeah, the company was separated for a few weeks. I pulled most of us back together doing this. Except for Ori. Poor lad got himself stuck up in a tree for days,” I explained.

 We got down to the lake and walked into the water. “You’re sure this is safe?” He asked. “Yeah,” I answered. I went deeper and deeper until I was completely under. Through the currents, I saw the Dwarves getting away from the Elves and Orcs and on a boat to Esgaroth, Orcs following them, Tauriel tracking them, and Legolas and Cleos tracking her. The three of them stood together by the water. 

I projected my mind and created an embodiment form and rose out of the water and the three of them turned to me with weapons ready. “It’s me, it’s Verena,” I said with my hands up. I haven’t been shot in water form but I’m not risking it. 

 “Ver?” Cleos asked as he lowered his sword. “Yeah,” I nodded. He sheathed his sword and ran to me. “Where have you been? Where are you now?” he questioned as Legolas and Tauriel walked over. 

“I parted from the company before entering Mirkwood. Gandalf and I had a more important path. I’m in Rivendell but I won’t be here much longer,” I explained quickly. “Rivendell? You-” “It doesn’t matter what I am doing. The Dwarves left for the mountain this morning from Esgaroth. Four of them remain there and Kili is sick. Esgaroth is in danger of being attacked by Orcs,” I explained quickly. 

“How do you know this?” Legolas asked. “I saw it through the currents. You need to get to Lake-Town, there isn’t much time” I told them. “I will see you again soon, alright,” Cleos told me. I nodded and I travelled back to my mind and came out of the water.

“Ver!” Alek yelled and jumped in, taking me back to the dock. “I got to him,” I said as I manipulated most of the water off of me and back into the lake. “He is going to Esgaroth with Legolas and Tauriel,” I told him. 

*Cleos’s POV*

By nightfall, we made it to Esgaroth and found the Orcs attacking one house. Tauriel went in through the door while Legolas and I dropped in through holes in the roof. Just as Ver said, four of the Dwarves were here, along with two young girls under the table, and a boy who was fighting. They started to retreat as Kili screamed in pain and I stayed to check on them. 

“You killed them all,” the boy says in shock. “There are others. Tauriel, come,” Legolas said as we walked toward the front door to follow them and Tauriel hesitated. “We’re losing him!” one of the Dwarves told her and she looked at us then back at Kili. I started to follow Legolas out of the door when one of them shouted at me. “If Ver was here she wouldn’t let him die. You know that,” Fili said.

“Heal him, I’ll go with Legolas,” I said, looking at Tauriel. She nodded and took a bowl of water and began helping him. 

I ran after Legolas, occasionally walking past and killing Orcs. Once I caught up to him we fought through the Orcs and towards the docks. 

From a distance, they watched us get closer and the others rode away. “Go after them,” Legolas told me. I nodded, then I found a horse and rode off.

*Verena’s POV*

“Have you spoken with the Lady Galadriel?” I asked Elrond. “We are going into Dol Guldur for Gandalf. Lady Galadriel said he is being held prisoner there,” He told Alek and me. “When do we leave?” Alek asked. 

“Alek and I will go after Gandalf as soon as possible. If what Alek says is true, and the dragon Smaug has turned Esgaroth to ruins, the people will need help. Go to Esgaroth and aid them however you can, Verena. Cleos will need you,” He said. 

“I’ll prepare to leave,” I nodded. “I’ll help you,” Alek said, following me as I walked back to my room

“By the time you make it to Esgaroth, everything will be resolved,” He said. “Yes, thank you, Alek, for your helpful advice,” I huffed. “Sorry,” he apologised. “There must be a quicker way to get there than by foot,” I sighed. 

“Do you want my real advice?” He asked and I hummed. “Try travelling through the water,” He suggested. I stopped walking and stared at him. “What?” I asked. “You were able to make an embodiment of yourself when you went to Cleos, yes?” he asked and I nodded. “Then you’re almost there,” He said. 

“It’s completely different. That’s manipulating water, not moving from place to place, I’m not Vardos,” I huffed. “And you’re not me either, yet you saw the dragon in Esgaroth the same as I did. What’s the harm? It’s not like you can drown,” he shrugged. I rolled my eyes as he laughed and I looked at him. 

“I’ll try,”

~~~

“Good luck, my niece. I wish you good fortune,” Uncle Elrond said with an Elven salute. “Thank you, uncle. I wish you the same as well,” I replied in the same fashion and hugged him, then turned to my brother. 

“I hope you’re right about this,” I said with a huff. “Have you known me you be wrong?” He asked in the common tongue. “A few times,” I nodded. “Fewer than most,” He pointed out. I smiled and hugged him. 

“Be safe, alright? If we’re right and it is Sauron, you need to be careful,” I whispered. He nodded and looked at me. “You too, alright?” He said and I nodded. “I love you, brother,” I said with an elven salute. “I love you too, sister,” He replied.

“I will be back for Penrose once I am done in the east. Alek, will you release Copper once you get close to Beorn’s home?” I asked and he nodded. 

I walked into the water, taking a deep breath, just in case I actually could drown. 

You never know.

Time for the magic.