Disclaimer: Don't sue me, LotR isn't mine. Ask permission if you suddenly--for whatever reason--want to use Verity.

Author Note: This chapter contains some and has quite a bit of angst as well as snippets of romance. Just so to make you keep reading to see if it all develops! :)

Anyway, the rating has been raised in this chapter. You have been warned. Thanks and enjoy, it really is a very interesting chapter.

Warning: Long chapter. Well, I happen to like long chapters, I just never have the time to write them!

~"Raven" Sirens Muse

Chapter Three: Enemy of the Elves

Verity dreamed. It was a nightmare unlike any she'd ever had. There was a war of the One Ring. Death was all around and there she was, standing atop Mt. Doom...laughing. She could wake up. She knew it was a dream and she wanted to awaken, but she was stuck. Stuck in this awful nightmare in which she took control of Middle Earth through the power of the Ring. Bilbo must not find the ring! She screamed and awoke. The world was a cloud of darkness. Someone lightly brushed her hair from her eyes and Verity saw her. The Lady Arwen was as beautiful as she imagined. Maybe more so. "Please, go back to sleep. You are not well."

Verity couldn't sleep. She knew she'd dream that terrible dream again. She stood and flung her legs over the side of the bed, turning a deaf ear to Arwen's protests. She was wearing a thin white nightgown and her hair was still a bit damp. (Long hair does take forever to dry.) She pushed past the Elven Princess and out into the hall. No one was there, so she began to walk. She had no idea where she was going, but she didn't care. She didn't care about anything anymore. She wandered down a flight of stairs and out onto a empty, covered porch. She leaned against the rail and finally looked about. She was in Rivendell. There was no mistaking it. The city lay nestled in a glorious valley. Verity sighed and felt herself falling. She slide off the rail and into a sitting position on the ground. She was weary. They must have given her something. I can't fall asleep! she warned herself. "What are you doing out here?" asked a voice behind her.

"Not falling asleep." a logical answer in her own mind.

"Foolish child."

"Not foolish," the voice that came from her mouth was younger than she remembered it being. "Sleepy. I don't want to sleep. Bad dreams."

"Milord. If I may be of service?"

"Yes, get her back in bed. She should not be wandering around here."

Arms wrapped around her and she was lifted off the ground. Through a haze of hair she squinted and looked up at Glorfindel. "I can't go back to sleep. I'll see it."

"See what?" he was placating her.

"The One Ring to rule them all."

"What!" yelled the other voice. "What do you know of that evil."

"Bilbo's going to get it from Gollum." she answered happily. "And I'll get it from him and rule Middle Earth."

"She is dangerous. We cannot let her stay here."

"Lord Elrond, please reconsider. She is out of her mind."

"Then how does she know of the ring?"
There was no answer from Glorfindel. Verity didn't mind. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. She knew why she was here now. Nothing else mattered. She began to hum the hobbit's drinking song. A gentle hand silenced her. Sleep. The voice whispered. Safe in the cocoon of light, Verity slept and dreamed no more.

"Dawn take you all, and be stone to you!"

"She is dangerous. We cannot keep her here. We can not afford to keep her alive."

"You are right." Gandalf agreed. "She must die."

"How can you condemn her to death? How can you kill an innocent person for something they dreamed about? She is a seer."

"All the more reason for her to die. What if it was the future she saw in her dream? What then? Would you protect the millions of innocent or one mere girl?"

Glorfindel frowned as the counsel ended and he walked slowly down the halls, trying to taking in everything Elrond had said. We cannot afford to keep her alive. He was afraid of her. This girl who knew of things beyond her ken. Even Lady Arwen was wary of the girl. Verity, herself, was reported to have woken up crying in her sleep. Glorfindel's heart broke for her. She was much like a child and a hobbit mixed together in one woman. She was intelligent, but very innocent. She knew much, but she knew so little. Over the next few days, Verity's talk about the ring grew more and more frequent. She spoke of using it to cover Middle Earth in a second darkness. The elves greatly feared her as if she were the Dark Lord himself. And Verity grew more an more withdrawn after the first few glares that were shot in her direction. A week later, she was spending all her time, locked up in the room given for her use. Oft times Glorfindel swore he could hear her crying in the night from behind that door. Crying to the moon and screaming for home. It had to stop.

Bilbo and the dwarves came to Rivendell for a short rest and after learning Verity was there, they demanded to see her. Verity was trying to amuse herself by writing some form of music or poetry, but words had been hard to come by as of late. A knock at her door startled her. "Don't come in!" she shouted angrily.

"Lady Verity?" called a muffled and familiar voice on the other side.

It sounded vaguely like Bilbo! "Who's there?"

"Bilbo Baggins! Please let us in!"

She opened the door slightly and peeked out, indeed, it was Bilbo, Killi, Filli, and Balin standing outside her door. "Bilbo! Come in, all of you!"

Her despair of earlier disappeared with the arrival of her friends and she listened as Bilbo gave an animated account of their adventures thus far. She grinned. Just like the story.

"Well Master Bilbo! Seems you are becoming a very irregular hobbit, indeed!"

Bilbo grinned. "It's the Took in me. It must be!"

She smiled brightly and listened as the dwarves then asked her if she was to accompany them the rest of the journey. "If you wish, I'd love to come. It's pretty dull here."

The hobbit and dwarves looked at her as if she was insane, but didn't comment. They all heartily cheered and hurried off to dinner leaving Verity alone again. Once alone, Verity curled up on the chair with her paper. Tears feel slowly down her cheeks. She hated it here. The distrust of the elves, but to leave again...she didn't know how much more of this she could take! Another knock on the door came and Verity quickly wiped the tears away and called, "Who's there?"

"Lord Glorfindel."

Verity cringed. She hadn't seen the Elvenlord since he and the Rivendell elves saved her from the river. She wondered if he distrusted her like his kin. "Come in." she found herself saying.

Lord Glorfindel looked much better for being back in the place he called "home". She hoped her wouldn't notice her hollowed features or how loosely her clothes had been fitting lately, but one glance from him told her that he had noticed. She sighed. "What is it? Come to glare at me like everyone else does?"

"No." the answer was simply stated, but never such a glorious word had been spoken in all of Verity's time in Middle Earth.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't believe you would harm anyone. Granted it's odd that you know about the ring."

"I've told Lord Elrond before. Tolkien was a seer too." That was her newest lie.

"So Lord Elrond told me."

"Then why are you here?"

"You're going with Bilbo and the dwarves."

"Yes, with or without the permission of anyone."

A faint smile crossed the elf's features. "Does Gandalf agree?" she asked.

"A forced agreeing, but yes. He does not believe you will do us any harm."

"Good man."

"Can you be ready by sunrise?"
"Easily."

"Good. Farewell Lady Verity."

He left quickly and Verity found herself looking after him, suddenly hoping that he too would be coming.

That night, emboldened by the Bilbo and Glorfindel's words she ventured from her room. She still wore the white nightgown, but knew of nothing else to wear, since they had taken her clothes and not given her anything else. She had tried to comb out her insanely long hair, but only got a few of the tangles out. All in all, she looked a sight. A bit like a ghost as she wandered down the hallways, looking for dinner. She hadn't eaten since she arrived. She hadn't felt hungry anyway. She heard a noise coming down on of the longer hallways and decided to follow it. She was rewarded with finding the room to be the one she was searching for. She sighed, gathered up her pride and strode in, her head held high. Most of the conversation stopped. They all stared at the human woman dress in a nightgown with a cloud of dark hair sticking out in all directions. Verity resisted the urge to run and walked quietly up to the table, sat down, and called for a plate of food. By now, all conversation had stopped. The perfect faces stared at her. Some looked astonished, some looked scandalized. Idiot, idiot, idiot! I might as well be Hell on Middle Earth! A sudden anger took her and she pushed back her chair with so much force that it fell over, then she called out in a loud voice, "Yes! Look on me! The Bane of Middle Earth! Come and stare at the one you've estranged! Look upon your work and be proud! You will be the first to fall. Prideful, selfish...how dare I eat at the same tables with you! Damn you all! To Hell with the whole lot of you!"

A servant came slunk up to her with a plate of food. Verity yanked it from his hands, slammed in on the table, and stalked out of the room with the stares of everyone following her.

As quickly as the rage had come, it faded with the fresh, evening air. Verity didn't go back to her room. Most likely someone would come looking for her. Probably Lord Elrond who'd curse her and find some way to send her back to where she belonged. All the better for me. I can't stand it a moment longer! She wandered into a small library. The scent of book assailed her and more anger was dispelled. She loved books. They were a constant companion in her pervious, simple existence. The smell, the feel, everything that was connected with the gateways to other worlds. At this realization, she paused and sighed. "Other worlds." she muttered sadly. "I wish I had never heard of this place. Although..." she mused. "I still don't know why I'm here."

A roguish thought came. "Maybe I'm the elves destruction. Serves them all right. Damn the perfect people. Immortal and not a care in the world."

She collapsed into a chair and pulled a book off a nearby shelf. It was a thick book, embossed in gold and written in Elvish. The anger returned. "Send them all to a bottomless abyss!" she cried with passion.

And she slammed her head into the table. "Oh wake up, wake up! For God's sake, let me wake up!"

She sobbed burning tears of frustration for several minutes, before running a fist roughly across her face. And more tears came.

A half an hour later found her dozing, with her head pillowed against the hard wood of the table. Cautiously, a small face peered in. Bilbo had been in the great hall during Verity's venting and had seen her storm out. Following her exit, a fuming Gandalf and an even angrier Elrond slipped out of the room for a conference. Bilbo and the dwarves all decided at the same time that they were no longer hungry. Thorin stalked off for bed, muttering something about an interruption to his dinner. The rest of them decided to look for the girl. Bilbo was glad to have found her first. She seemed finally at peace, resting in the room full of books. He frowned slightly, wondering if he should wake her. Well, thought he, better that I wake her than to have Lord Elrond or Gandalf find her. He hurried over and shook her arm slightly. He got a soft moan as a response.

Verity lifted her head. Her face felt stiff and mask-like from the dried tears. She blinked and saw Bilbo standing by her. He looked a bit anxious. "Are you alright?" he asked quickly.

"I think so." she said slowly. "Oh boy, I've made a mess haven't I?"

Bilbo nodded.

"I guess I'll have to face them sometime."

"Well," the hobbit said slowly, "let them rest the night. A bit of sleep does everyone good. Their minds will be clearer in the morning."

Verity found herself grinning. It was quite logical advice. Simple and sweet. She impulsively bent down and threw her hands around his neck. "Thank you Bilbo!"

Bilbo blushed beet red. "You're quite welcome, I suppose."

She released him, stood and glanced around. "Well I guess I ought to let you get some sleep. I'll be fine now. Thank you! See you in the morning!"

With those words, she ushered the hobbit out. He had no choice but to head for his room. He sincerely hoped that she would be alright.

Verity had felt better when she woke up. Her anger was gone and replaced by shame. She heaved a great sigh and headed back in the direction of her room. As luck would have it, she ran into Glorfindel on the way. Or more rather, she saw him and tried to sneak past. Forgetting, however, that Elves have excellent hearing. "You are a fool, Lady Verity."

Verity spun around and saw him gazing out at the stars, like she always thought Elves did at night. He was wreathed in moonlight, quite an awesome sight. It made him look powerful. Verity had to admit to the small twinge of fear. "Why?" it was a simple question, spoken softly. "After all you've put me through, why am I the fool?"

"Why indeed. That was tactless."

"Maybe it was. But it was the truth."

"Was it? Are we so repulsive in your eyes?"

We. She paused. Certainly not him. He had done all he could to help her and she had thanked him by damning his people. His family. "Are you? Do you want the truth?" she asked, slowly.

He spun around. "Yes. Yes, I would like the truth."

She shrank back a little. "The truth...what is the truth anymore? When things change and turn upside down and the truth you know is no longer there...how can you be sure of the truth? Maybe I hate you. Maybe I despise you all and want nothing better than to watch all of you die a slow and painful death."

Glorfindel looked pained. "You hate us that much?"

"Why shouldn't I? You distrust me? You have opinions...am I not allowed my own opinion? Am I not allowed to hate you like you hate me? Or was that stripped from me too?" She paused and added in a whisper, "But I don't have rights, do I? None of us have rights? God...why?"

Her gaze shifted to the heavens. "Or Valar, or whatever's controlling this place. Why me?"

"The truth." Glorfindel prompted. "I need the truth."

"What was the question again?" she asked softly, shifting her gaze back to him.

"Do you hate us?"

"Yes."

"Why?" he asked, sounding tormented by her words.

"Why do you keep asking why? Do you really have to know? Why am I here, why do I hate you...why, why, why, why...a never-ending circle of whys."

She sighed and fell to her knees. "What did I do to be here? Why do I deserve this?" she cried out to the heavens.

She stood again, pushing her hair back behind her ears. "Goodnight, my Lord."

With that she walked off.

She entered her room and collapsed on her bed and fell immediately into a deep and dreamless sleep.

Bilbo and the dwarves, all save Thorin, flatly refused to leave the next morning. Verity remained in her room and would not leave and they protested that they would not leave without her. Sometime, while she was sleeping most likely, someone had laid clothes out for her. A pair of brown, travel-worn leggings and a woolen green tunic, with dark brown boots and a belt of soft leather greeted her the next morning. Verity bathed quickly and donned the clothes. The were obviously old and used, but clean nonetheless. She took half the morning to comb out her hair and finally got it reasonably smooth, although she feared she might have to end up cutting it soon. She deftly braided it and tied it back with the leather strip that was left with her clothes. She spent the last half of her morning and a greater part of the afternoon gazing out her window and thinking. Thinking about the night before. She has lost her number one advocate last night.

Around late afternoon there was a sharp knock at her door. Verity, who had been dozing at the window, gave a start and sprang up. Worry twisted at her insides. "Who is it?" she called.

"Let me in." came the answer.

It sounded like Glorfindel. "Why?"

"Must we start that again?"

It was indeed Glorfindel.

"Fine, then come in." she said stonily, turning back to the window.

She heard the door open and didn't turn around, hoping he'd take the hint and leave. She was not ready when she heard him stomp over to her, take her arm and pull her up from the chair. With more strength than she knew she possessed, she yanked her arm away and glared up at him. "What in heaven's name do you think you're doing?"

Glorfindel was expressionless. "You are not going to sulk in here anymore. You have your clothes, now you will come with me."

Verity frowned. How had he known she had gotten her clothes? Surely he would have not entered had he thought her to still be in her nightgown. A uncomfortable thought crept into her mind. Oh good Lord! Anything but that! He had given her the clothes! They were most likely his old things. That would explain why they were so baggy on her. She wanted to ram her head into the wall! Ram his head into the wall! Ram someone's head into the wall! She ended up ramming her own head into the wall. She might have done it a second time, but Glorfindel pulled her away. "By the Valar! What do you think you are doing?"

"Killing myself, hopefully."

Surprising her even more so, he grabbed her shoulders and made her look up at him. "Do not ever give up that way."

"Sure, fine. Whatever. Easy for you to say. You're not being humiliated."

He sighed, knowing what she was referring to. "I am sorry. We will find Lady Arwen as soon as you eat."

"Eat? But I'm not hungry?"

"You have not eaten for several days."

"Has it been that long?"

"Aye."

"I can't go out there."

"I will be there." it was a promise.

She glanced up at him. He was expressionless. He always looked expressionless. I have to figure out how to read him soon. He led her out of her prison-room and down a long, narrow hallway. The same one she'd traversed the night before. The great hall wasn't as crowded as it was the night before, but the people that were in there, stared upon Verity's entrance. Verity sat and ate little from the plate that was set before her. She glanced around, seeing into the eyes of all who stared at her. She had enough. She pushed back her chair and stood. Glorfindel, who sat next to her, thought she was going to bolt, his hand snapped out to stop her, but she shook her head. "No, I'm not running." she assured him.

Hesitantly, she stood upon her chair and hoped the words would come to her. "Lords and Ladies! Honored guests of the Elves! Handmaids and servants! I..." she faltered.

Verity's mind was blank as she strove to find words. "There isn't anything I could say that could eloquently express my deepest shame...I never have been very eloquent. Please, if there be any pity in you...have pity on me. I'm...sorry. I'm making a fool of myself too. I could stand up here and list my crimes. I could stand up here and admit you have a right to distrust me. I could say millions of things. I could say them until I die and not expect to be forgiven. And I can't believe I'm doing this. Sorry." she jumped lightly off the chair and exited the room quietly.

She didn't see Glorfindel at all after her speech. But she did, however, meet some of the Elves who readily accepted her apology. Arwen was a great help to Verity. She provided a listening ear, clothes, and a wonderful swordsman to train Verity to fight. Calen, the swordsman, was very different that any of the Elves Verity had met. For one thing, he seemed quite a bit younger than anyone else. And of course, the fact that he was smiling from the moment he saw them. He had dark hair and deep brown eyes, unlike most of the elves who had lighter hair and eyes. Arwen introduced them right away. "Verity, this is Lord Calen. He shall be your sword instructor."

Calen swept a gallant bow. "Lady Verity, it is a honor to meet you."

Verity's cheeks reddened slightly as she remembered how it had all been the day before. "The honor is mine and mine alone." she muttered.

Arwen frowned and whispered something to Calen in Elvish. Calen, in turn, nodded and bowed as Arwen left. He then turned to Verity. "My Lady Verity, please know I hold no ill will toward you. As I hope you hold no ill will toward me."

Verity frowned slightly. "I don't."

If Calen noticed the frown, he didn't point it out. Instead he smiled and walked over to a barrel full of wooden swords. "I'd rather start you on staff fighting, but Thorin and Mithrandir want to leave as soon as possible. So we shall start with swords."

He carefully picked one out and handed it to her. "Have you ever held a sword?"

"Once, but never to use it."

He smiled. "Wise Lady."

For the next half hour, Calen showed Verity how to hold a sword, parry, lunge, and swing. After the lesson, Calen walked Verity to the Ladies Bower where Arwen and some seamstresses were waiting. "This is it, Milady."

"Thank you, Calen."

"It was my pleasure. You have some talent with the sword."

"Well, thanks, but I'd also like to thank you for wanting to help me."

Calen smiled gently. "Dear Lady Verity, it is not a matter of wanting to help, but asking to help."

He left before she could ask him what he meant.

By dinner, Verity had more clothes than she needed. Several gowns that she protested she really didn't need, and a sensible legging and tunic outfit, that the old seamstress frown upon, claiming it was not modest. "It's perfectly modest! It over a whole lot more than a dress does and it's heaps more durable and sensible!"

The next few days progressed like that. Verity having her archery lessons with Calen and one more dress fitting. Verity found a wonderful friend in Calen (and in Arwen too.), but his answer to her question the first day she'd met him, still nagged her. On the third day she finally asked him. "Calen, what exactly did you mean when you said you 'asked to help'?"

Calen grinned. "Surely you would know by now, Milady! I asked to be your swords teacher."

"Why would you do that?" she asked, wiping the sweat from her eyes and sitting down in the grass for a rest.

Calen planted himself beside her. "Well, I suppose I saw what the dwarves, Bilbo, and Lord Glorfindel see in you."

Verity shifted her head to one side in question. "And that is?"

"Your spirit you could say. Your dauntless, true spirit."

Verity looked at the grass. "All I want is to gone home. And if that is dauntless, then that is what you're seeing. As for truth...I'm not sure what is true anymore."

Calen was silent for a moment before he asked, "Verity is a beautiful name. Does it mean anything in your language?"

Verity paused as a deep frown spread across her features. "Truth." she whispered.

She stood quickly. "Excuse me," she whispered almost wordlessly. "I have to leave. Thanks for the lesson."

"You cannot run every time, Verity."

Verity looked back at Calen, who was now standing. "You must learn when to run and when to hold your ground. Like when you are fighting. Sometimes you must run and sometimes you must fight. Now is not the time to run."

Verity fought back the tears that were now coming to her eyes. "Have you ever not belonged somewhere?"

"I've never belonged somewhere in my life." he said quietly. "I'm half-elven. Not fully Elven, not fully Man. Always caught between the two."

Verity glanced up at him before walking into his arms and letting her tears run.

During the four more days of training with Calen, Verity learned much more than fighting skills. Calen became the brother she never had, correcting her when she was wrong, and rejoicing with her when she was right. Verity saw little of Bilbo and the dwarves. Only glimpsing them at meals and in hallways. Of Lord Glorfindel she saw nothing and often wondered where he was. One the eighth day, Verity packed her things and got ready for the continued expedition to the Lonely Mountain. Verity sat upon the edge of a balcony near her room. She swung her feet into the open space and looked out at the cloudy, rain-filled sky. "A wonderful day to start." she muttered.

"You will be safe." said Arwen from behind her.

Verity turned her head slightly to smile at the woman. "I hope so."

"Mithrandir had sent me to retrieve you. I want to wish you well on your journey. I hope you find some way to return home."

Verity swung her legs around and leapt off the rail onto solid ground. Impulsively, she hugged Arwen. "Thank you. Thank you for everything!"

"It was nothing. I was glad to help." replied Arwen as she returned the hug.

"Have you seen Lord Glorfindel?"

"No, not recently."

Verity's heart sank. "Oh. I had been hoping to say goodbye at least."

"I will deliver your message when I see him."

"Thanks." she said quietly, still wishing to see him herself.

"Are you packed?" Arwen asked quickly.

"Yep. All ready to go."

"Good, I shall have someone get your things."

"No need. I can get them myself." she paused and hugged Arwen one last time. "Again, thanks."

Arwen smiled and watched as Verity gathered her things and headed off to the horses.

The stable was around two hallways and down a flight of stairs. Verity's pack had never felt so heavy. She walked slowly, trying several different ways of carrying it. She had it slung over her should when she reached the stairs. At her first step, however, the weight shifted suddenly and Verity's went came out from under her. She was falling. Each stair greeting her with another lump. Her back cried out in pain and suddenly she wasn't falling anymore. She was looking up into the worried face of Glorfindel. "So you are here!" she said with a slight wince.

"Aye and I am glad I found you."

Verity grimaced. "I guess I'm quite glad you found me too! Crazy pack is heavier than I thought it would be."

Glorfindel set her down and picked up the discarded pack. "Are you alright?"
"I think so. Just a few bruises. Thanks for rescuing me...again. Sheesh, one would think I'm a damsel in distress."

At this Glorfindel smiled. "Goodbye, Milady."

The smile faded from Verity's face. "Yes, I was going to say goodbye to you, wasn't I? But I couldn't find you. Where've you been?"

"Business." Glorfindel said quickly.

Verity thought it sounded suspicious, but she didn't comment. Instead she stood on tiptoe to wrap her arms around his neck. "Goodbye and thank you."

Glorfindel was surprised at the hug, but even more surprised when his own arms came around to embrace her. "Farewell, Lady Verity."

Verity smiled into his hair. "You can cut the 'lady' stuff, you know."

"Farewell, Verity." he said again.

Verity found herself reluctant to step out of the safety of his arms. But she pulled away, smiled a bit, and hurried to find her horse, before she could think about it anymore. Calen and Lord Elrond were both waiting by the horses when Verity arrived. Calen stepped forward first, a sad grin was on his face, he was holding something wrapped in fine cloth. "This is yours." he said simple, handing her the gift.

Verity unwrapped the objected to find a sword sitting in her hands. A real sword. It was the shape of a two handed, double sided long blade, except a tad bit smaller. Obviously made for a woman. The blade curved slightly at the end and the handle was made of smooth polished wood and metal, somehow mixed together to form something that looked akin to cherry wood with it's de reddish color. Elvish writing snaked up the shining blade. "Thank you." she whispered, awed by the blade. "What does the writing mean?"

Calen grinned mysteriously. "You shall have to learn Elvish to know."

"Then I will, if only to read the blade." she answered with a grin of her own.

"Safe journeys, Lady Verity."

Verity took his hand and squeezed it tightly. "Goodbye, Lord Calen."

Verity then walked over to her horse. She still wasn't quite sure how to ride, but she was good deal better at it than she had been when she arrived. Unfortunately, mounting was still a problem. Calen hurried over, wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her a lift up to the stirrups. He then bowed gallantly, and back away as Lord Elrond came forward. "Well, Bane of the Elves." he said, a light smile crossing his face. "You have gotten your wish to ride with Thorin and his company."

"Thank you, Lord Elrond."

"Safe travels and I hope you find your home."

"Goodbye, Lord Elrond."

"Namarie, Lady Verity."

And thus began the journey to the Lonely Mountain.