╔═══ -ˋˏ *.·:·.⟐.·:·.* ˎˊ- ═══╗
𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑺𝑰𝑿𝑻𝒀 𝑶𝑵𝑬
❝ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒅𝒅𝒔 ❞
╚═══ -ˋˏ *.·:·.⟐.·:·.* ˎˊ- ═══╝
THE STRANGE GROUP OF THREE HAVE been traveling for hours. They mostly stayed silent for the rest of the journey after discovering that their personalities together would make quite a large clash when Vera had argued her way under Grimmund's skin, who exploded on her and caused Aragorn's heated behavior which ended up with the entire group arguing until Aragorn passed out in exhaustion from his wounds and the argument. The two arguing cousins only realized Aragorn's silence when he fell off the horse as Vera loosened her grip. So, as a solution suggested by a tired Aragorn, they all decided to keep silent and only speak about important matters regarding Helm's Deep that would guarantee no immature behavior, which Grimmund and Vera reluctantly agreed to in mumbles.
They had previously waited for Aragorn to gather enough strength to grasp the reins on Brego as the two cousins discussed matters concerning Helm's Deep and the journey ahead of them. Then, Vera ended up losing her patience and insisted on moving on, choosing to guide Brego in Aragorn's stead as he is still weak and barely conscious. So, she mounted the horse with a resolute expression, firmly placed Aragorn in front of her and ensured that he was seated and unable to fall, and ordered Grimmund to lead the way at a steady and speedy pace as the cousin knew more about Rohan and the nearest routes to Helm's Deep than the other two. With haste and perseverance, the group departed from the river bank and began their journey to Helm's Deep as quickly as possible. During the journey, Aragorn had been able to gather enough strength to be able to control Brego and the reins when Vera is unable to do so.
Vera, while traveling, kept herself occupied with battle strategy, her surroundings, and her people. She did not want to let her worries drift on the upcoming army and the amount of death about to reach them if the army easily outnumbered them but Vera blindingly grasped onto a small, piece of hope that there was a chance that they won this battle for an army of orcs and a limited number of people fighting to protect hundreds of children and women is not an easy feat. Thus began Vera's venture into her thoughts of battle strategy; she needed to ensure that her people would be prepared to fight a war that did not benefit them, only agreeing to the loss of their life by the word of their Queen but Vera did not like to forsake her people and have their lives on her hand. She needed them to be protected and prepared for the battle coming for them, especially after going through a battle themselves. Vera needed to talk to Thèoden. She needed to talk to her brother.
The sun was nearing its setting state when they saw it. They have just passed numerous flatlands and large hills with glistening sea-lands when they arrived on a hilltop to overlook a mass of black in the far distance. Vera had been deep in thought about her people, attempting to distract herself with the environment around her when her eyes landed on something peculiar in the distance. She alerted Grimmund and Aragorn, who has been privately talking about strategies to use in battle, about the strange appearance over the horizon as she urged Brego forward to get a closer view from her peeking location. Grimmund followed after her in confusion before their eyes registered what the large mass was; Orcs. The orc army was larger than she expected it to be, rendering her shocked and speechless at the size.
Her comrades went completely rigid at the sight, just as she did, as they remained silent and shocked at the view. No less than ten-thousand orcs arranged in an organized manner, strategically placed for a battle they needed to win. Vera could feel a dozen emotions running through her body but the one, prominent feeling in her chest that stuck out compared to the rest was her fear. She had never felt fear like that before; a fear that constricted her throat, a fear that suppressed her chest, a fear that made everything else seem like nothing. It drowned her, surrounded her, kept her completely useless and immobile. Never did she feel such a fear like that in her battles...perhaps it was because she had so much to lose; her friends, her family, Legolas, Èmiliya...even the people of Rohan, especially after knowing that her father lived with these people and their blood is in her system. Perhaps it was because she had so much on her shoulders; her people's lives, their deaths, their families, their lives...just carelessly thrown away by the ruthlessness of battle. But whatever it was, Vera was thankful for it as she met her friend's eyes in fear.
"We need to go. Now."
Vera, Grimmund, and Aragorn have never ridden faster as they did when speeding for Helm's Deep. They could not afford any more lost time as every second passing brings that army closer to Helm's Deep and leaves the people of Rohan more vulnerable than they could ever be. With the fear and shock pounding in their veins, blending with the determination to warn Thèoden King and save Rohan from the horrid acts of Saruman and his master, Sauron, the trio found themselves riding to Helm's Deep in a matter of minutes before finally catching a glimpse of it on a hilltop. They have stopped their horses just by the downhill, overlooking the beauty of the structure and registering the number of people inside, who would all be in potential danger, as Aragorn praises Brego for his speed before the group continues with as much haste as before.
Together, the group rises from the ramp leading towards the entrance of Helm's Deep with their hearts beating loudly in their chests, patiently waiting for the wooden doors to welcome them into the large and narrow stronghold before rushing in impatiently and ignoring the people ahead of them — well, Grimmund and Aragorn ignored the people in front of them...Vera is more conscious of the harm they could cause them and shows her displeasure by glaring at Grimmund and Aragorn with reprimanding glares. It is not long before the trio finally reaches the center of the courtyard, giving them enough space for their horses to dismount the steeds and regroup with everyone else. Vera is sure that they looked a strange sight; half-drenched and half-ruffled by their previous rendezvous in the river and the rumple of the winds while battered and bruised by the last battle to protect the Rohirrim. However, her worries did not lie with her appearances.
The moment her feet reach the ground after dismounting her horse and helping Aragorn down, a flash of blonde hair and tiny arms hurls itself on her with a heavy impact, knocking her into the weakened Ranger, who winces and nudges into his horse. Barely gathering the energy and time to turn around completely, her ears are being cut off by the endless words rushing out of Èmiliya's mouth. Vera crouches to meet with the little girl's eyes as she smiles widely at the excited blabbering from her youngest friend, merely nodding and adding sounds to interest the girl as she speaks nearly breathlessly. It isn't long before Èmiliya is wrapping her arms around Vera and embracing her like this is their last day together, and if Vera is being honest, it may be true. The thought consequently worried Vera and saddened her simultaneously as she wraps her arms around the girl tighter, her eyes meeting with Edgar as she flashes him a sad smile of gratitude, which he returns with a beam.
"Èmiliya, please, do slow down. I am afraid you may choke on your own words with the lack of breath in between your words. Besides, I cannot understand a thing you are saying! I may be returned but I am exhausted," Vera interrupts, a soft and teasing smile on her face as Èmiliya giggles but nods understandingly.
"Oh, alright, your Majesty. I followed your orders exactly as you said, though Edmund was rather disobedient at one moment, but we stuck close to Edgar — even declaring a new friendship between us — and guided the people while helping Lady Èowyn lead the people to Helm's Deep. Èothain and Freda have been reunited with their mother, which is truly fantastic! I mean, they must be so happy to finally be together once more and rejoice in the fact of their love with one another. Edgar and Èowyn have kept me occupied while here but I fear that Lady Èowyn is sad...oh, I was so sad. I did not know if you were returning at all and—" Èmiliya starts to explain, elaborating her previous statements at a comprehensible pace while rolling her eyes. Her voice lowers after finding that Èowyn may be sad, which brought her to the topic of Vera's unknown whereabouts.
The little girl is interrupted, however, when a booming and roaring voice enters the courtyard; a voice that is too familiar to Vera. "Where are they?! Where are they?! Get out of the way! I'm gonna kill them!" Gimli rages amusingly, pushing past the taller people and the surrounding crowds to get closer to the middle of the courtyard, where Vera stands with Èmiliya in a crouched position while Aragorn talks to Grimmund and Edgar about what they have seen quietly. Vera perks at the familiarity of her dear friend, turning around slowly to balance herself in her position as Gimli appears from the crowd with a gleam in his eye and a conflicted expression; one of annoyance, relief, and joy. Upon seeing his friends, back and alive and healthy, Gimli's smile widens and his eyes light up in joy. "You are the luckiest, the canniest, and the most reckless two I ever knew!"
Vera remains impassive, merely feigning a smile on her face as Gimli surprisingly hugs her with all his might — nearly suffocating her in the process, as well — before moving forward to embrace Aragorn, who accepts the display of affection from his friend. As Gimli turns his back on Vera and the little girl, who he had pushed in his pursuit of embracing Vera, the mermaid sends a disgruntled look at her friend, which quickly slides into a true smile as she faces the grumbling Èmiliya once more. She could hear Aragorn asking Gimli where Thèoden was from her spot and reluctantly smiles at Èmiliya, knowing that they will be separated for the rest of the night.
"It is alright, Èm, I am here now. I am alive and as well as I can ever be. And as much as I would like to be with you and listen to your tales, I must speak with the King about urgent matters. I promise I will meet with you when I can. I want you to stay with my grandmother for a while before I can see you again. Behave, Èmiliya, I am very proud of you...don't break that," Vera warns before giving the girl a final cuddle and moving to follow after her friends.
Vera soon stands next to Edgar and accepts a hug from the man as she smiles welcomingly at the joyful man. "Vera!" Edgar exclaims happily. "Oh, how was the journey? I hope Grimmund wasn't giving you too much of a problem."
"Please, Edgar, when is Grimmund not giving me too much of a problem?" Vera counters as she sniggers under her breath, ducking from the glare her cousin gave her. Giving Edgar a pointed look, which he responds with one of an agreement to her previous statement, before her eyes land on someone far more precious. With an excited and relieved grin on her face, Vera maneuvers past Grimmund, knocking him over in her pursuit — which he predictably grumbles at — before shooting from her place and colliding with Legolas, who barely has time to say a word to Aragorn before his beloved is placed in his arms. A giggle escapes Vera's mouth as she basks in the comforting embrace of her blonde elf, relieved to see him unharmed and finding solace in his scent. "Oh, I have missed you dearly, tree prince."
"I have missed you too, Vera," Legolas whispers in her ears softly, sending tremors down her spine at the comforting tone of his voice. The elf prince smiles, feeling more than relief at finding his friend and his beloved alive and well. He had been worried that something went terribly wrong and Vera got hurt on her way to the bottom of the cliff but after assurance from Èmiliya and Gimli that the girl is more stubborn and strong than anyone else and will be fine in her territory, he found himself not as worried as he had all faith and belief in Vera and the Valar to keep her light and her spirit safe. Thankfully, his wishes are completed and answered with good greetings as the same brunette stands by his side, safe and well. Placing a chaste kiss on her lips, they separate from one another to meet with the rest as Legolas leans down to whisper in her ear, "I won the bet."
"You wish, pointy-ears," Vera murmurs back teasingly through feigned smiles as she and Legolas greet Aragorn once more.
"Le ab-dollen," Legolas claims, his words easily slipping into his native tongue as he talks familiarly with Aragorn. Vera grumbles from beside him, rolling her eyes in annoyance as she meets eyes with Aragorn's amused orbs. Legolas smirks, hearing the grumble coming from Vera as he took joy in her difficulties in learning his language and understanding his words...he reminded himself to get her to learn the language. He looks at the two brunettes before frowning, "you both look terrible."
"You are such an amazing person," Vera mutters sarcastically.
Aragorn laughs at the amusing sight of Legolas ruffling Vera's wet head while she slaps him with the back of her hand gently, causing the elf to groan and move away as two smiles reach their face. Legolas' smile slips into a gentler pull, taking something from within his dressings to retrieve a white necklace. Vera immediately recognizes the sight of the Evenstar given to Aragorn by Arwen long ago as a soft smile slides onto her face upon sight of Aragorn accepting the necklace with a look of gratitude. Legolas smiles understandingly, happy to see his friend find love from a distant relation of his...even if it is through marriage and marital law. "Hannon le," Aragorn says.
Vera rolls her eyes. "So, Westron is not a language spoken anymore."
Her statement is ignored, however, when Aragorn softly slips past her in determination to arrive at the King's Halls, where Grimmund and Edgar wait after talking with one another about certain matters. Vera follows after her friend, leading Legolas with her as Gimli grumbles on behind them about stubborn mermaids and affectionate men. Vera watches impressively as Aragorn, despite his brittle state, throws the heavy doors leading to Thèoden's location open with a resolute expression on his face. Thèoden looks at the intrusion, noting his two family members at either side of the Ranger, all three of them alive and well.
"We need to talk."
Thèoden stands with his back turned to the group by the front, his body facing the doors they have previously entered, attempting to register what the group of three have informed him upon arrival. Vera stands in between Legolas and Aragorn dutifully, her body half-leaned into her friends as the tire comes closer to her than she needed it to be as Gimli stands at the end of their crooked line. Vera places an impassive look on her face, one that shows no emotion or sign of her true feelings beneath the mask as she waits for Thèoden's response. She understands how hard it can be to believe such a thing and to take in the possibility of the people of Rohan being destroyed. Grimmund and Edgar stand by their fathers loyally, patiently waiting along with everyone else.
"A great host, you say?" Thèoden breaks the silence in the room with his question, his tone sounding unfathomable and blank compared to the usual hominess of it.
Vera and Aragorn exchange a knowing glance. "All Isengard is emptied," Aragorn responds truthfully.
"How many?" Thèoden follows up.
Vera hesitates. "Ten-thousand strong...at least," she answers quietly but her voice rings in the silent and tense atmosphere of the chamber. The King did not react lightly with the information given to him, as did the rest of the room as gasps are sounded with her factual claim, as he swivels to face Vera incredulously.
"Ten-thousand?" Thèoden echoes in disbelief. Vera winces slightly at the stare thrown at her from her distant relative, knowing how hard it would be to hear such a news and let it settle in your mind as the options and thoughts are weighed; his people, his friends, his kin would all be condemned to a fate worse than death with such a large number of strong and bloodthirsty Uruk-hai charged towards their current location and arriving at any moment, each time wasted with the passing moments.
Grimmund notices his friend's reluctance to speak and decides to step in. "It is an army bred for a single purpose...to destroy the world of Men," Grimmund claims grimly, his tone sorrowful at the prospect of his friends and family dying in a battle where there is no real advantage for their low numbers. Thèoden attempts to understand and comprehend the words from his family and friends but finds himself too drowned in his fear to fully let it register...Vera could see the scare written all over his face and turns away. With everything happening with herself and her family, she had forgotten her real purpose of the journey and forgotten how much she has been through. An image of Boromir enters her mind as she glances at Grimmund staring at his father, who lifts his head to comfort both Vera and Grimmund.
"They will be here by nightfall," Vera finishes.
Thèoden turns away once more, contemplating her words and attempting to fathom it as he goes over everything in his head. Then, with a decision in his mind and determination on his face, he starts to walk away. "Let them come!"
Vera straightens from her position as she nearly stumbles in her skirts, following after the stubborn King in shock but agreement. Still, Vera is in shock over the King's statement and his sudden acceptance of the war coming for his people and the possible destruction of them all as they know it. "M-my Lord," Vera stutters but halts as Thèoden raises a hand and motions for his guards to follow him. Letting the people needed to pass her by and giving her friends a look, Vera sighs.
Edgar appears beside her, a gentle glint in his eyes. "Vera. You are tired. Go rest...I will update you on what is happening here while you are gone. You will be no use to us weak. Perhaps you can talk to Èmiliya...she may have spoken so excitedly about Èothain and Freda but has failed to mention her own mother. Please...she is in desperate need of a friend."
Vera glances at him in surprise; she did not know. Nodding once, Vera departs the King's Halls with another mission on her mind as she shifts through the halls and corridors to find her youngest friend. Giving her Fellowship companions an excuse for her inability to join them, she rushes from the King's Halls to the courtyard she was previously in, hoping to find her blonde friend but frowns once she sees the courtyard mostly empty. Vera sighs, choosing to turn down another corridor in the hopes that her friend is somewhere along her way. Just as Vera begins to abandon her mission in exhaustion, a familiar brunette passes her by. "Edmund!" she calls out, bringing his attention to her as she maneuvers towards the boy. "Have you seen Èmiliya?"
The boy sighs sadly at the mention of his friend, bringing Vera more sorrow than she had before at the sight of a bright boy so dull in the solitary without his closest companion. "Èmiliya is by your grandmother's home...by the bench overlooking the courtyard. Vera, you may find her in a remorseful position than when you left her in," Edmund warns, answering Vera's question with a frown before bowing and taking his leave, showing his manners towards the Queen.
That is the second hint that something is definitely wrong with her young friend.
"Thank you," Vera calls after him before rushing through the halls and sliding past the bustling crowds of people to reach her grandparents' shelter area, stopping right by the entrance as her eyes land on Èmiliya sitting on a bench with a somber expression, a frown set deeply on her youthful face and her eyes dull and unfamiliar from its naturally pure state. Vera cautiously approaches the girl with soft steps and gentle approaches, showing that she means no harm. "Hey," Vera greets.
"Hey," the girl greets back by her voice is not as cheery as usual.
Vera smiles sadly. "Mind if I sit here?" she kindly asks, pointing to the empty seat beside Èmiliya with a gentle look on her face to coax and soothe the young girl. Èmiliya doesn't spare her a glance, merely nodding silently as she moves to let Vera take some space on the bench. The mermaid sits down tenderly. "Edgar told me about your mother. Èmiliya, I am truly sorry for what has happened to your mother. And I do not know if you wish to speak about it but I do hope you manage to find it within yourself to trust me and confide in me when needed. You know...I lost my mother too. In fact, I lost both my parents at a young age. While I didn't know my father, I did know my mother. Admittedly, we would clash and fight more than anyone but we loved one another...and when she died, I did not feel anything for a while...until the memories came crashing down and all I could feel was sorrow."
Èmiliya looks up at her friend with tears swimming in her orbs, a pain seen from within that hurt Vera's heart more than she thought it would. "How did you get past it? The pain?" Èmiliya brokenly questions, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I remembered that even if I did lose my mother, I have others who love me just as much and I could move on and live with them. Because I knew that with their love, I could be happy...so I confided in them as friends would and I got everything I have ever wanted," Vera answers honestly, her eyes glistening with happiness at the memory of her friends and her fallen ones. It was times like this where Vera missed them more than ever and while she may be able to see the Hobbits again, Boromir will never come back to her. "The pain may be new now but it will disappear in time. Still, their memory will live on with you in your heart and in your spirit, as long as you believe and you love, and in time, it will get better. You may grow sad but you will accept it and soon, it will become nothing more than a loving memory and a promise of return."
Èmiliya sniffles before chuckling sadly. "You are a rather cheesy sleazy with the speech...but it helped. More than you can know. Thank you. I am more than lucky to have a wonderful friend like you by my side...and a Queen."
Vera rolls her eyes but smiles fondly. "Thank you. Now, what did Edgar do while I was gone?"
Èmiliya playfully sighs in dismay. "Oh, if only you knew."
"Queen Vera?"
Vera is brought to reality from the abyss of her thoughts by the voice of King Thèoden, his tone gentle and unchallenging — almost cautious — as he leans on the side of the hall. She lifts her head to meet his icy orbs, having previously been reading a book — though she did not know why as she was mostly stuck in her thoughts. Flashing him a short smile, Vera closes her book and puts her legs back onto the ground after crossing them in a comfortable position. She had just finished another story about the sea from her grandparents' home after dropping Èmiliya off at the location shortly after their conversation regarding Èmiliya's mother and her new, close relationship with Edgar, which Vera is all too happy about.
"King Thèoden," Vera greets back politely, rising from her seat and preparing to lean down in a bow but stops as he lifts a hand to halt her actions, pausing her mid-way from her curtsey. Vera reminds herself to remind the King that his habit of halting her with his hand is not how a woman should be treated; dogs, maybe, but not women. Straightening her back, either way, Vera instead inclines her head in acknowledgment and respect to the King before folding her hands neatly in front of her. "Is everything alright? Do you need me to do anything...? Please, I would be happy to help. Did something happen?"
Thèoden shakes his head instantly after her outburst of questions. "No, no, do not worry. Nothing is wrong...as of now...and we are beginning to round the women and children inside. However, I came here to ask a favor from you. It comes at a large price and I know it may be unfair considering everything but I come to you for aid. I am desperate, Vera. Forgive my informalities but I...I am terrified. I suppose I am confiding in you now because you are a monarch, however young and new in experience, you know what it is like to have an entire city and hundreds of lives on your shoulder...to have their blood in your hands. I fear for my people and their safety...the risks were high to bring them here for if they get past the barriers, Rohan will cease to exist. And it is because of my perils that I ask you—"
"—to aid you in battle. Bring armies to my command and fight with you," Vera interrupts the King knowingly, an understanding smile on her face as she meets his reluctant and saddened orbs, who nods bitterly. "If I must forgive you about the informalities, then you must forgive me as well. Thèoden, it is understandable that you are afraid...you have been through more than half of the people here the last few days, balancing the renewed role of King after an endless oblivion of the dark magic of Saruman and the personal situation regarding the death of your son. I know that grief more than anything and I know what it is like to be a monarch, even if I am ruling from afar and have only come to my crown unofficially and from the death of my mother. I know how it is like to fear for your people, especially with the large numbers marching for battle as we speak. And so, as another monarch to another, wishing to thank and form an extended alliance, I am joyed to inform you that I have already called for my army and is marching here as we speak, as well."
The mermaid has never seen someone physically wilt from the relief. Thèoden visibly withers in his consolation, content with the answer he got from Vera; the answer he was expecting from the beginning. A smile reaches his face easily, his eyes lightening with gratitude and utmost thanks as tiny tears formulate in his orbs. His expression is warm as he stares at Vera, who returns the emotion with just as much happiness and joy as her distant relative. "Thank you. I have no way to thank you or show my gratitude for what you have done. Truly," Thèoden expresses, struggling to articulate words of thanks to the girl as she dismisses his efforts with a wave of her hand and a smile as if it were nothing but it was everything to Vera...she just didn't show it. "Though, if I may, why would you do such a thing? We have hardly been long allies and we are only distantly related and you have only discovered the fact days ago. I do not know you as much but I doubt any monarch would love to spend their armies for another cause that doesn't benefit them."
Vera shakes her head, ducking her head to ponder over the thought for a moment as Thèoden is right. Then, as she gathers her mind and finally forms a speech to tell her cousin, she looks up at him once more and smiles just as breezily as she did before. "You are right, King Thèoden. Why would I do such a thing? Spending my people, having their blood spilled, and my subjects suffering for another battle that does not concern them is hardly something one would do, especially as it is my first battle controlling an entire army. And we aren't strong allies, not yet anyway, and we haven't been family for as long a time, that is true. And as you have confided in me, I will confide in you. You are still my ally and even if it isn't a long alliance, I will do anything to help you. As I said, I understand the helplessness you must be feeling and I know how torturous it can be, so perhaps it may be a reason why I instinctively ordered an army before your request."
Vera took a deep breath, preparing her next words about the other matters. "Truthfully, we aren't close but we can be and I have not experienced what it is like to have a large family...it was only my mother and my brother for the longest while. So, when I found the truth that has been hidden from me for my entire life, I felt at a loss...helpless. After I got over it, however, I made a vow to make the best of it, even in a time like this. You are family nonetheless, we are blood, and we have the same blood and spirit as our shared forefathers. Though distant, it is everything I have ever longed for, for the past years of my life. I am thankful for the time I have spent and I suppose it is the knowledge that my family and a part of me lies within these people. Just as you are Rohan, I am Rohan as well. By my father's blood, I felt I had to help...if not for you and my family here, and if not for the people of Middle Earth, then I would have done it for him. Besides...this may not benefit them in the short-shot, the destruction of this army will bring them closer to peace and that is all I want for my people."
Thèoden smiles, his heart touched by the speech. Giving his arm out for Vera to loop her arms in, they connect their arms with one another and walk down the hall to the courtyard, where most of the Rohirrim are guiding the women and children to the caves beneath the walls. "I would love nothing more than to finally accept you as family. You will make an incredible Queen and an extraordinary woman, Vera Roman, one that would make your friends and family now, as well as our forefathers, proud. Especially your father. Many may have passed you before you reached this point...Adelaide, Thèodred...but I know for a fact that my son and my closest friend would be honored to have met you and have their blood shared with yours...as am I."
Vera's eyes glisten.
"Welcome to the family, Vera Roman."
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author's note;
well then. please share some love; comment, vote, feel free to share some positivity during such a crucial and tender time in our society. <3
author's note; translations
Le ab-dollen; you're late
Hannon le; thank you