Twenty Nine - For My Brother

Nikolas, Vardos, Martarys, and Hadrian left the next morning. I didn’t want them to see me off in fear of them trying to change my mind. Nik understood, thankfully, and promised he wouldn’t try to stop me.

Gandalf and I sat in Rivendell’s library, looking at the giant map on the table, deciding our course. “We can start on the path through Moria. Caradhras might be too dangerous this time of year for the Hobbits and we both remember what happened last time we entered that Goblin city, all the reason to avoid it,” I suggested, looking at the map. 

“Excellent idea… Except Moria has been taken over by a demon of old,” Gandalf said. “We’ll have to go all the way around, then,” I sighed and placed a stone over Moria. 

“We’ll go through Dunland, and hope the Gap of Rohan isn’t overrun with Saruman’s new breed,” I said. 

Someone knocked on the door, then Frodo wandered in. “May I join you?” He asked. “Of course, Master Baggins,” I said and pulled a chair over to the table for him. “We are planning our course to Mordor,” Gandalf told him. 

“What is our path?” he asked and sat in the chair. “We’ll stay on the west side of the mountains and go through the Gap of Rohan, then across the Great River, and to Minas Morgul. From there, we’ll enter Mordor and to Mount Doom,” I explained, pointing out the places and tracing the path. 

“You make it sound simple,” He said and Gandalf chuckled. “As unfortunate as it is, Frodo, it will not be so easy. The road will be long,” Gandalf said. “Considering our shortcuts are blocked off by beasts of old, it will take time,” I said. 

“But with patience, we will make it,”

~~~

“The Ringbearer is setting out on the quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of the Tempests, Elves, Men and all Free Folk go with you,” Elrond said and Legolas, Aragorn and I salute in Elvish form.

“The Fellowship awaits the Ringbearer,” Gandalf said and I looked at Frodo, who was beyond nervous.

 He turned and walked through the arches first and I followed close behind.

“Mordor, Ver, is it left or right?” He whispered. “Left,” I answered and he turned left through the gates.

~~~

“We’ll stop here for tonight,” Gandalf said and Merry and Pippin dropped in their place, laying on the ground.

“I’ll find wood and work on a fire,” I said and walked off further into a forest. “I’ll go with you,” Boromir said and I nodded. “Ver, are you sure?” Legolas asked in Elvish. “I will be fine, Greenie,” I chuckled and turned back into the woods.

“What did Legolas say to you?” Boromir asked after we got further out. “He just told us to stay safe,” I answered. 

Legolas doesn’t trust Boromir. Though I don’t either, I want to trust him enough to make it through this journey.

“When I was young, my father used to tell my brother and I stories about you,” He said as we gathered fallen branches. “I had only known him as a boy before I went back to Ezeria,” I said. 

“He said it was like you disappeared from the world,” He said. “What happened?” He asked. 

“Some time ago, I was attacked by the spiders in Mirkwood. We learned the hard way that their venom is extremely deadly to Tempests,” I answered. 

“That must have been terrible,” He said. “My brothers, Nikolas and Aleksander, kept me in Ezeria for twenty years before I left again,” I said. 

“Did they not trust you?” He asked. “They feared what could’ve happened if I left,” I said. 

“We have enough for the night. Let’s get back,” I said and he nodded. 

As we walked back, he made light conversation of old memories he had, mostly stories of battle or of his brother, Faramir. I laughed at a few of the tales and we made our way back to the others. 

“And you just left him there?” I laughed. “Aye, he wanted me too, ‘I’ll prove myself to father,’ He says,” Boromir laughed. “He didn’t last another minute before falling from the tree and into the lake below him,” He continued. 

“Well, Faramir sounds rather gallant,” I said and he nodded in agreement as I sat the wood up. “Allow me,” He said, getting pieces of flint to start the fire. 

“It’s alright, Boromir,” I chuckled and lit a flame in my hand, putting it under the wood. “You create fire,” He said in amazement. “Create it, control it, bend it to my will. Earth, Air, and Water as well,” I explained. 

“You amaze me, Princess,” He said. “Call me, Ver,” I said and he nodded.

“Ver,” Merry said as he and Pippin walked over to sit by the fire. “Yes, Merry?” I asked. “Could you tell us more about your family?” He asked. 

“What would you like to know?” I asked. “Is it true you’re Sauron’s niece?” Pippin asked bluntly and all other eyes shot over to us. 

“Yes, it is… But I’ve never met him and I don’t wish to either,” I answered, slightly uncomfortable. 

“Who else is in your family?” Sam asked. “There are my uncles, Vardos and Martarys, my brothers Nik, Alek, and Hadrian, my sisters Dessa and Esme, my cousin Cleos, nephews Zion and Iston, and nieces Lia and Ozora,” I listed. 

“And Sauron,” Pippin said. “Peregrin Took,” Gandalf warned. “It’s alright, Gandalf… Sauron was my grandfather’s brother. He is, in a way… my blood,” I said. 

“Ver, it is alright. We know you do not follow him,” Legolas said and Elvish and I smiled. “Thank you, Legolas,” I replied and he nodded with a small smile. 

“You’re going to have to teach us that,” Merry said. “Teach you what?” I asked. “Elvish!” He shouted. “Perhaps, in time,” I smiled.

~~~

The next morning, I woke early. Before the sun, as usual. Legolas was already awake and sent me a smile as I walked over to him, looking over the side of the hill. 

“Good morning,” He said. “Why are you up so early?” I asked him. “Is it so surprising that I am a morning person?” He asked, nearly repeating what I said years ago. “No, it is not,” I whispered and looked back out over the hill. 

“You’re doing this for Alek, aren’t you?” Le asked and I nodded. 

“I can’t believe he’s been out there all along… Ever since I first saw the Ring, it… it has taunted me with past memories of him. From when we were children to the funeral we had for him,” I said. 

“I can’t stand being without him anymore, Le. Especially now that I know he is alive and in danger. He’s my brother and I love him. And I will never forsake what I hold dear,” I said. 

“I’m sorry, I, um… I didn’t mean to blather,” I apologised. “It’s alright, Ver. I am always here for you. You know that,” He said and I rested my head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around my waist. 

“What did your father want? He must have summoned you for a reason,” I asked after a long silence. He shifted his gaze to me, then back on the horizon. 

“He wants me to marry before he leaves for the Lands of the Undying… He said it was my choice of when to leave this world but…” He trailed off and I stayed quiet for a few minutes. “He wants you to have a queen,” I smiled and looked at him. “He wants what all father’s want for their children. Love,” I said and he smiled. 

“Besides, I remember a number of years ago when you told me someone already holds your heart,” I said and he smiled. “And with that smile, I can tell she still does,” I said and he smiled wider, looking at me. 

“Would you make her your queen?” I asked, teasing slightly. “I don’t know if she’d want to be,” He said, losing his smile. “Legolas. I don’t mean to be harsh, but we’re literally nearing the end of the world,” I chuckled dryly. 

“It’s now or never. And look at it this way; you won’t have to worry about the question ‘What if?’ anymore. You’ll know,” I continued and he nodded. 

“Ver, I-” Legolas was cut off by Gimli grumbling and stirring awake. 

“Oi, what time is it?” He asked. “Barely dawn, my friend,” I answered and Legolas stood. “I’m going to get wood for the fire. We should wake the others,” He said and I nodded.