Thirty Eight - Exodus

The town stood outside, making a path to the gates and outside of the city to the royal family crypt as members of the kingsguard laid Theodred to rest. I walked next to Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas behind us as we followed the guards with Theodred outside of town. 

As they lowered Theodred, Eowyn began to sing “An evil death has set forth the noble warrior. A song shall sing sorrowing minstrels. In Meduseld that he is no more, to his lord dearest and kinsmen most beloved,”

~~~

We sat inside of the Golden hall at a table near the back. Gimli ate as Aragorn smoked his pipe and Legolas stood behind us. I, however, was sitting there, completely bored out of my mind. 

“I wanted to thank you,” Eowyn said as she walked over to the table. “All four of you. If you hadn’t come, I fear I would have never gotten my uncle back,” She said with a sad smile. 

“Of course,” Aragorn nodded. “I’m afraid I do not know your names,” She said. “I am Verena, and this is Gimli, Aragorn, and Legolas,” I answered and she smiled gratefully. “Dwarf, Elf, Man… But you’re not human, are you?” She asked. “No, I’m a Tempest,” I answered and she looked at me in shock. 

“I should have known. You’re the Wandering Tempest! My Grandfather used to tell my brother, cousin, and I stories of you,” She said excitedly. 

“Why did you stop travelling?” She asked in concern, sitting next to me. I sighed and Le looked at me sympathetically. “It’s a long story… My brother… my king, did not want me to travel because of an accident,” I answered. “That must have been terrible. How did you change his mind?” She asked. 

“A friend needed my help,” I answered. “That friend started a war,” Le scoffed. “A war that was inevitable, Legolas,” I snapped back. “Thorin Oakenshield was the most honourable Dwarf I’ve ever met,” I continued. 

At that, the doors burst open as Gandalf and Theoden walked in with two children. A boy and a girl. “Uncle, who are they?” Eowyn asked as I stood. “We do not know,” Gandalf answered. 

“Eowyn, see that they are cared for,” Theoden said and she nodded. “I can help you,” I said and she looked at me. “It’s alright, Verena,” she said. “I want to,” I said. “Alright,” She nodded with a smile and I followed her down the hallway with the children. 

~~~

We made sure they were bathed and clothed, then the boy, Eothain, talked about what happened. “They had no warning. They were unarmed,” Eowyn said as she stood next to the pair and I sat across from them as they ate. “The Wild Men are moving through the Westfold, sacking and burning villages,” I continued.

“Where is Mama?” The girl, Freda, asked. Eowyn hushed her and wrapped a blanket around her. “We will find her, Freda,” I said and she nodded. 

“This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron,” Gandalf said, sitting next to Theoden. 

“Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight,” Gandalf urged. “You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king,” Aragorn said and Theoden stood.

“They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war,” Theoden said.

“Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not,” Aragorn said. “When last I looked, Theoden, not Aragorn, was King of Rohan,” Theoden fired back

“Then what is the king's decision?” 

~~~

“Helm's Deep,” Gandalf scoffed, annoyed by his choice as we walked to the stables. “They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?” Gimli said.

“He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past,” Aragorn reasoned. 

I turned with Legolas and Gimli to Arod and Hasufel, putting a saddle on one as Legolas got the other. “This is a mistake,” I shook my head. “Maybe it is. But we will go with them to protect the people,” Legolas said and I nodded. 

Legolas threw me my quiver, which I caught and strapped on, then strapped my weapons in their places. 

“Why do you carry that many weapons when you have the ability to light anyone on fire?” Gimli asked. “If I chose fire every time I had to fight, I wouldn’t be seen as the beloved Wandering Tempest, but a malicious dark witch,” I answered. 

“And I like to have backups,” I added “Except you never need the backups,” Le chuckled as he walked by. Gandalf galloped through the stables and I pulled Le and Gimli back before he trampled them. 

“Where is he going?” I asked Aragorn. “To look for help,” He answered.

~~~

We fled the city and travelled during the day, stopping at night. Legolas and I scouted often, never really seeing Aragorn and Gimli.

“It’s times like this I wish Nik was here,” I said as I looked out over the hillside. “Why is that?” He asked. “He would turn to a bird of some sort and scout for us,” I answered.

“Aurelia would be back with the sick people, Cleos, Hadrian, Zion, and I would be guarding, and my uncles would lead with Theoden,” I said, playing out the scenarios in my head.

 “You miss them,” He said and I nodded. “I always miss them,” I said. “Then why do you go?” He asked. “This is where I need to be, Legolas. I love my family and I love my home, but Tiseah isn’t enough for me,” I answered.

“The open plains around me… all there, waiting to be travelled,” I said. He looked at me, then back ahead of us. “You enjoy being out in the open,” He said. “Only when there isn’t someone trying to kill me,” I chuckled and he smiled. 

“I will protect you,” He said. “I know, Le. I'll protect you too, you know,” I said and he laughed. “Yes, I know,” He smiled at me.