In a Single Night
Chapter 2: Haleth
Disclaimer: Middle Earth and the character Hama belong to JRR Tolkien, and JRR Tolkien alone.
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I stand in the caves with my two sons watching the men say goodbye to their families. I bite my lip, choking back the tears as I think about my husband. Just an hour ago I had been waiting for him to join me at Helm's Deep, only to find out that I would never see him again. He had been the first to fall in battle. I stand beside my oldest son. Unlike his younger brother, he understands everything that is going on. Our men are going to battle, and it may be their last. I never thought I would live to see the glory of Rohan fail, but now my world is crashing down around me and I am helpless.
One of King Theoden's men approaches. He sends a shallow bow in my direction and turns to my son. In his hand he holds out a sword, and at once I recognize it. I can only stare at it as he speaks. "This was once your father's. He would be proud to see you wield it, Haldred."
I step forward as Haldred takes it into his own hands. "What do you think you're doing, Fyrmund?" I practically scream at the man. "He's only a boy! He can't fight."
"Orders of the King. We need every able bodied man we can find." He stepped back and his eyes scanned Haldred. "He's in fine condition to be a warrior. His head already reaches your shoulder, too."
"You can't do this."
I feel a warm hand on my shoulder, and I look into Haldred's shining eyes. "It's alright, mother," he reassures me. "I was going to join the Rohirrim and go into battle sooner or later. This is just a little sooner than expected. Father taught me how to use a sword and a bow, remember?"
I sigh and kiss his forehead. I can't hold him back if he wants it this much. "Be careful," I whisper sorrowfully.
"I will." He turns to walk away, and I reluctantly let him. It takes all of my will power not to run after him and beg him to stay. He turns a corner and I get the feeling that I will never see him again. The tears run down my cheeks in rivers as I sit and clutch my youngest son to me. In a single night he has lost his father and it is possible that he shall never see his brother again, but he remains oblivious to all that has happened. I wish I could be oblivious, too.
Chapter 2: Haleth
Disclaimer: Middle Earth and the character Hama belong to JRR Tolkien, and JRR Tolkien alone.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
I stand in the caves with my two sons watching the men say goodbye to their families. I bite my lip, choking back the tears as I think about my husband. Just an hour ago I had been waiting for him to join me at Helm's Deep, only to find out that I would never see him again. He had been the first to fall in battle. I stand beside my oldest son. Unlike his younger brother, he understands everything that is going on. Our men are going to battle, and it may be their last. I never thought I would live to see the glory of Rohan fail, but now my world is crashing down around me and I am helpless.
One of King Theoden's men approaches. He sends a shallow bow in my direction and turns to my son. In his hand he holds out a sword, and at once I recognize it. I can only stare at it as he speaks. "This was once your father's. He would be proud to see you wield it, Haldred."
I step forward as Haldred takes it into his own hands. "What do you think you're doing, Fyrmund?" I practically scream at the man. "He's only a boy! He can't fight."
"Orders of the King. We need every able bodied man we can find." He stepped back and his eyes scanned Haldred. "He's in fine condition to be a warrior. His head already reaches your shoulder, too."
"You can't do this."
I feel a warm hand on my shoulder, and I look into Haldred's shining eyes. "It's alright, mother," he reassures me. "I was going to join the Rohirrim and go into battle sooner or later. This is just a little sooner than expected. Father taught me how to use a sword and a bow, remember?"
I sigh and kiss his forehead. I can't hold him back if he wants it this much. "Be careful," I whisper sorrowfully.
"I will." He turns to walk away, and I reluctantly let him. It takes all of my will power not to run after him and beg him to stay. He turns a corner and I get the feeling that I will never see him again. The tears run down my cheeks in rivers as I sit and clutch my youngest son to me. In a single night he has lost his father and it is possible that he shall never see his brother again, but he remains oblivious to all that has happened. I wish I could be oblivious, too.