Eighteen - The Great Rings & A Lost Uncle

“That was something to watch,” Martarys said sitting next to me. Everyone else turned in for the night. Martarys and I were the last two sitting by the fire. 

“She just needed a push,” I smiled. “She would have never even thought of it if you hadn’t told her. Not in a hundred years,” he added. “What are you trying to say, Uncle Martarys?” I asked. 

“Verena, you are special. You are different from any other Tempest in a way that is indescribable. You think differently, you fight differently, you want different things that no other Tempest has wanted, not to mention your accomplishments. You leave home to help the people of this world. You are one of the few who can protect this world from what is to come,”

“What are you talking about?” I asked carefully. “The enemy has returned and he is gathering his strength and reckoning large forces. Even breeding armies,” he revealed and I shook my head. “Sauron can never hold dominion over Middle Earth without the Ring of Power. It has been lost for almost three thousand years,”

When the Great Rings were forged, three were given to the Elves, Seven to the Dwarves, and nine to Men. Sauron forged a master Ring in secret. It was made to control all of the others; One Ring to rule them all.

Prophecies say that only the one true heir of Sauron will not fall to its will and can use it. The heir of Sauron will have a choice between good and evil; if they choose good, the world will prosper as it did before his time. If they choose evil, it will fall into darkness and the world will never be safe. No one knows who it could be and the prophecy has become nothing but a story. 

Most living do not know, but Edrick and Sauron were brothers.

Rumours say that a ring was forged for Edrick Tempest and it allows Sauron to control the mind of the Tempest who bears it to do his bidding. No one knows if it is true because we’ve never seen it.

“Sauron could still have the Tempest Ring. If he does, and the rumours are true, then he can control one of us. He won’t need the Ring of Power if he has the right Tempest,” he warned. 

“And by the right Tempest, you mean me?” I asked, growing frustrated. “That’s exactly what I mean,” He nodded.

“If he has the Tempest Ring, why did he kill Alek? If I were Sauron, I would have kept him as an asset,” I emphasised and he sighed. 

“If we truly are in mortal danger, we need to think like him,” 

~~~

A few days passed, Le and Aragorn were still here, not that I’m complaining. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him and I’ve grown fond of Aragorn. 

He refused the throne of Gondor and now the steward rules. The line of stewards have always wanted the throne and to have complete rule of Gondor. they are greedy people, at least the current steward is. Gondor wasn’t a place I visited often and I only knew Denethor as a boy before Nik forced me back home. 

I only hope he doesn’t raise his sons to be like him.

~~~

I ran down the hall to Le's room and I knocked quickly. He opened the door and I stepped in and turned back to him. “I want to go with you and Strider,” I declared as he stared at me in a bit of confusion. 

“I have been here since Erebor and I can’t stay here forever,” I continued. “I can not tell you if you are allowed to,” He sighed. “But if I can, would you allow me to come with you?” I asked and he nodded. 

“Of course, you know I would, but you know Nikolas better than anyone. He won’t let you,” he warned and I rolled my eyes. I turned and walked out of his room. “Where are you going?” he asked. “To talk to my brother, I’ll be back”

~~~

The guards opened the doors for me. Dessa and Nik were talking next to the throne. “I need to speak with you,” I said quickly. Nikolas nodded to Dessa and he nodded back. “He’s not in the best mood,” She warned and I nodded, looking back at him as he stood.

“Is everything alright?” Nik asked. “I wish to leave Ezeria with Legolas and Aragorn,” I corrected and he sighed. 

“Ver we have talked about this,” he reprimanded. “And I am asking again. I won’t be alone this time. Please Nik,” I pleaded. 

“My decision has not changed,” he unwavered. “That’s it? You're just going to keep me here for the rest of my life? Even when you know that I want to be out there?” I questioned. 

“Yes. This is where I know you are safe and not off risking your life. I swore to protect you when mother and father died and that is what I am going to do,” He finished and I huffed. 

“You keep me here yet you know I don’t want to. I feel caged, Nikolas. Your idea of ‘protecting me’ is making me miserable,” I turned and walked out.