disclaimer: Just in case you've yet to notice, I'M NOT TOLKEIN! But even if I were Saul Zaentz owns LotR anyway L.
Chapter 2: twilight
Grima walked alone through the manor, his thoughts occupying his attention for the moment. Why had father been so cruel to that poor serving wench when all she'd done was greet him? He had wanted to defend her, but as usual, he was too afraid of his father to react. Grima often thought himself an awful coward, an accusation that seemed valid to the untrained eye. But for anyone who knew the cruelty of Galmod, his father, Grima's silence seemed totally understandable.
His mind snapped back to attention when he realized where he was. Without thinking about it, he'd ended up on the rooftop patio, his favorite part of the house. Grima surprised himself that he still knew the way there, after not being there for 15 years. As he settled himself in one of the large, comfortable wicker chairs, he noticed he wasn't alone, he could hear someone crying.
After some hunting, he found the source. Behind some potted palms he saw her, not 20 feet away. Her back was to him, revealing ebony hair so long that it trailed two feet across the stone precipice on which she was seated. Grima could tell by her grey homespun dress that she was a serving girl, no older than sixteen. Nervously, for fear of spooking the child and causing her to fall, he spoke.
"What bothers you my child?"
She quickly stood and turned, revealing a porcelain face with deep blue eyes.
"I'm sorry, my lord," she responded, Grima imagined, a bit sarcastically. "I was merely resting for a moment, I'll be on my way and it won't happen again.' With that she began walking past him toward the patio exit. Grima sighed to himself. Women rarely ever wanted to speak with him, why should this young girl be any different? But, knowing that there was more to her avoidance than mere politeness or disinterest, he pursued their conversation.
"You were crying, "he ventured, "would you like to talk about it?"
She turned to him. "Why would you wish to talk to me? " she queried, a look of concern crossing her delicate features. "Do you wish for me to be flogged as well?"
This was the problem. He realized that this girl must be the other's sister, the one who had been beaten. There was something about her, something that made him want to help her, despite the distrust he felt about opening up to most people. Grima decided he had to try and make it right, even if it was a bit late.
"I'm very sorry for what happened, "he began, trying not to crack as he found the words. "If I could have stopped him I would have, I was so scared, I've never seen him do that to anyone….anyone…"
"But you!", she finished, her eyes going wide. He hung his head at her words, and she knew she was right.
Thalian tried to get her mind around this new revelation. Never had she thought that maybe Lorwyn wasn't the only one being beaten. But it was obvious that in this strange man's large green eyes was reflected the same pain her sister had shown since as long as she could remember. The thought crossed her mind to hug him, but then she remembered who he was.
He looked up at her then, and she knew it wasn't his fault. "So that is why you've not entered this lace for almost 15 years? You've been afraid of being beaten?"
"No, he hasn't hit me since I was young, I've just been to busy with my duties to King Theoden to travel this long distance, and until now, I haven't had any need to." He sat down, seemingly relieved that someone wanted to listen to him. Thalian wanted to like Grima, he seemed so alone and gentle, but every vengeful fiber in her being wanted to lash out at him as well, he was her enemy's son after all. Then she thought that perhaps making good with the master's son might get her leverage to harm Galmod himself, so she fought both guilt and anger and sat down next to Grima.
They spoke for an hour, about everything imaginable. Never did either spend this length of time with anyone, they were both very private people. Grima realized that the girl was just being nice, but it didn't seem to matter to her that he was ugly and short, so he just enjoyed himself. Thalian, on the other hand, felt bad that she had thought of using Grima, because now that she got to know him, he was a very nice person,and ,she thought blushedly, somewhat attractive, in an odd sort of way. She even found the timid deer- type way he acted toward her somewhat sweet.
Grima told her all about his job as advisor to King Theoden, and about the king's niece Eowyn ,who was 5 and 8 year old nephew Eomer, who constantly whacked Grima in the knees with his toy sword. Thalian told him about the quilt she was working on for his mother, a moon and stars theme with stitching made to look like swirls of night fog. This subject got them started on another; the stars. They both loved looking up at the stars for hours on end, which was why Grima's favorite place was the patio and also was the reason Thalian was there. Thalian new she would be in terrible trouble for being away for so long, but after the conversation with her mother, she didn't really care anymore.
"Why do you blame your mother for this?" Grima asked her cautiously.
"I don't blame her for causing it, just for not stopping it." she said
" But you forgave me, and I didn't stop what happened to your sister," he responded, almost to himself.
"You are not her, a mother should always defend her child."
" Perhaps," he started," But a child always respect their parent!" Even as he said this, he knew he'd made a mistake.
"Oh," she responded, the sarcastic tone evident yet again. "You mean the way you respect your father? Sometimes, parents don't deserve respect. Every time we've needed her she's turned away. I hate her!" Thalain turned from Grima, her body shaking with her sobs. He mentally slapped himself, he never should have brought this subject up, things had gone so well between them, and he'd just ruined that with one sentence.
"I'm sorry I've hurt you again," said Grima, trying in futility to smooth it over. "I do this every time, I'm just so stupid." she kept sobbing, totally ignoring him. He hated himself and how he always messed up any attempt at friendship. "I'll go now, I've done enough damage." he stood.
"No," Thalain gasped, trying to control her sobbing. "Don't go, it's not you……."
But Grima was already gone.