Twelve - The Woodland Elves

*Verena’s POV*

After we made it into Dale, we made camp. 

At night, I stayed up and tended to the wounded and brought water in for anyone who needed it.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you before,” I heard from behind me. I turned to see a Man walking towards me as I finished wrapping a wound on an older woman’s leg. “What’s your name?” He asked. “Verena, but everyone calls me Ver,” I answered. 

“Where are you from? Your accent isn’t like one I’ve heard here,” He asked. I stood and walked over to a younger boy. “Tiseah,” I answered and checked the gash on his head. 

“You aren't a Tempest, are you?” he asked and I chuckled. “Afraid so,” I answered. “What gave me away?” I asked. “Your name,” he said and I walked away from where they were treating the wounded.

“You’re Bard, yes?” I asked as I picked up two empty buckets. “Aye,” he said and followed me. “It takes a special kind of Man to kill a dragon,” I told him. 

“I only did what needed to be done,” he said shortly. “Still, you were the only one who could,” I finished and he looked at me as I found a patch of grass. I put my hand on it and water flowed out of the ground and into the buckets. Once they are both filled I pick them up and turn back to Bard, who is staring at the buckets. 

“I can control and manipulate the water, fire, winds, and earth. Don’t worry, the water is safe. I have been doing it since we got here,” I told him and walked back to the wounded.

“Are there any more of you here?” he asked. “My cousin, Cleos, is here somewhere. He controls the climate around him,” I answered. 

“How long have you been at this?” he asked as I handed the buckets to another Man and thanked him. “At what?” I asked. “On your feet, treating the wounded, getting water,” he specified. “Do not concern yourself with my wellbeing. I was made to help others and continue to stand for those who can not,” I said. 

“Get some rest, you’ll need it to negotiate terms with Thorin,” I advised. “You know Thorin?” he asked and I nodded. “I was with him and his company, then left them just before they crossed into Mirkwood. I had a different path until now,” I said. “Thorin has always been kind and honourable, but I fear the sickness that lies within the gold of that mountain may take his mind if it hasn’t already,” I sighed.

“What sickness?” he asked. “It is called dragon-sickness. It is a greed for gold and wealth, more than you can spend in an eternal lifetime,” I explained.

~~~

The next morning, I picked up empty buckets and walked out to fill them again. I stopped in front of an army of Elves and I dropped the buckets. “Nothing gets past me,” I heard from behind me and Bard stood next to me. “Except an army of Elves, it would seem,” The soldiers straightened. 

I followed him down a row of Elven soldiers and saw Thranduil riding in on a stag. “My Lord Thranduil, we did not look to see you here,” Bard greeted him. “I heard you needed aid,” Elves brought in wagons of supplies and the people gathered around in excitement. “You have saved us. I do not know how to thank you,” Bard smiled. “Don’t get too excited yet,” There’s always something else he’s after. 

“Your gratitude is misplaced,” Knew it. “I did not come on your behalf. I came to reclaim something of mine. There are gems in the Mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight,” He continued “The White gems of Lasgalen?” I asked and he nodded.

“You would go to war over a handful of gems?” Bard asked. “The heirlooms of my people are not lightly forsaken,” He answered. “We are allies in this. My people also have claim upon the riches in that mountain. Let me speak with Thorin,” Bard reasoned. 

“You would try to reason with the Dwarf?”

“To avoid war? Yes,” 

~~~

“My presence with an army of Elves behind me may cause him to make a rash decision. You should go on your own,” I told Bard as he mounted his horse. “I hope he chooses to avoid conflict,” Bard huffed. “Don’t we all?” I said and he rode away. 

I started walking back towards Thranduil when I saw Cleos. “Why is Thranduil here?” He asked and walks next to me. “He has come to retake the Gems of Lasgalen. He means to go to war over them but Bard is going to try to speak with Thorin,” I explained quickly. 

“Thorin barricaded himself in the mountain,” he whispered. “If he does not come to terms with Bard, there will be a battle that he can not  win,” I whispered back as we walked out onto the causeway. Cleos and I stood beside Thranduil, who was still on the stag. 

“Princess Verena, I am glad to see you are well. When Lord Cleos said he was searching for you, I thought the worst,” He said formally. “Thank you for your concern, Lord Thranduil, but I am fine,” I smiled. 

“Ah, seems you haven’t changed a bit, then,” He chuckled and looked at me as I smiled and shook my head. “It is good to see you again, Thranduil,” I told him and he smiled. “It is good you see you as well, Ver,” He said and we stood in silence. 

Thranduil and I have been overly sarcastic with formalities for centuries and it had always been a relief to find he hadn’t changed. 

Many say he turned away from the fight against Smaug when he first came here because of his dislike of Dwarves when really, he didn’t want his kin to be hurt or killed in an already lost battle. I can respect that, but he turned them away when they were at his doorstep. For that, I cannot defend him.

Bard rode back to us and stopped on the causeway in front of us. “He will give us nothing,” Bard said and I sighed. “Such a pity. But still, you tried,” Thranduil said, unamused by his attempt.

“I do not understand. Why? Why would he risk war?” Bard asked and I shook my head, unable to answer. “It is fruitless to reason with them. They understand only one thing,” he paused and pulled out his sword, then looked back at Bard. “We attack at dawn,” he finished “Are you with us?” 

~~~

“Oi, you! Pointy hat!” I turned to see Alfrid yelling at someone. I walked over to him to see Gandalf. “Yes, you. We don’t want no tramps, beggars nor vagabonds around here. We’ve got enough trouble without the likes of you. Off you go. On your horse,” Alfrid shooed him.

“That’s enough, Alfrid,” I demanded and turned to Gandalf. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “Who’s in charge?” he demanded. “Who is asking?” Bard asked from behind me.