Disclaimer:
I owe nothing, everything belongs to mister Tolkien, who had created the wonderful fantasy story 'the Lord of the Rings'.

Hama' Daughter

Chapter 2

Edoras – 3018

Lathwen was working in the Golden Hall, accompanied by Éowyn who was helping her to clean the tapestries. There were so many and they were barely cleaned. Both women were anxious to do something so they had decided to put their minds at ease while doing something usefull. For Theodred and Éomer were both out on Patrol. Which was absolutely useless, for they had been send in the wrong way. Not to Isengard, but to the Eastemnet and the Eastfold, where nothing was happening.

The King was... not the man that Lathwen used to know. He was old. He barely moved anymore and where he first loved to ride out on the fields he nowadays usually staid inside. The only man he listened too was Wormtongue. Also, Théoden barely said a word! Just an occasional yes or no. And personal business, that was something on which you surely should not be with him. Theodred was devastated to see his father like this, for Théoden did not even recognise his own son.

Háma, her father walked into the hall and motioned for her to come to him. Lathwen excused herself to Éowyn and walked over to Háma.

"What is it, father?"

"Gandalf is here…"

"Gandalf! Then why don't you let him in?"

"Because, my dear, the King doesn't want him in the Golden Hall just yet." At this the doorwarden fell silent for a moment, "He has no time for the wizard, however, Gandalf is waiting now in our house, would you make him something to eat and keep him company?"

"I will… just let me help Éowyn with putting everything back."

"Alright."

Háma placed his hand on Lathwen' shoulder and squeezed it lightly, "Thank you."

As soon as everything was cleaned up Lathwen made her way to the little house that she shared with her father. Without knocking on the door she stepped inside and smiled to the old Wizard.

"It's good to see you again Master Gandalf."

She said after making a bow.

"Perhaps you are in need of some refreshments?"

The old wizard, who had been sitting on a chair near by the fire, looked up from his thoughts and smiled slightly when he saw the 30 year old woman. "Lathwen, it indeed has been a long time since I have been here. Yes I would like to have some soup, if you don't mind."

"Of course, just a moment."

Quickly the soup was ready (They had some leftovers from yesterday) and Lathwen added a thick slice of bread. "There you go."

The first time that they had met had been 8 years ago. At the age of 22 she should have been married already and some people thought it to be funny to call her a public lady, because of the fact that she wasn't married yet. It was Gandalf who had stopped this, and she had been grateful for that.

Yet now that she saw the old wizard again, she was afraid that he might find out about Theodred and her. For the old man was known to know many secrets. And you never knew in these times on which side your visitor was. Even if that visitor was Gandalf the Grey.

"What brings you to Edoras, Master Gandalf?" Lathwen finally dared to ask.

The wizard looked up and he seemed to be testing her or something. Lathwen did not feel very comfortable under his gaze, but she did not look away or hide herself.

"Saruman does. He held me captive for a long time, and now I have to get to Rivendell as fast as I can."

Lathwen' eyes widened, "Saruman… did… But…"

"No dear, it's Saruman who betrayed the Rohirrim, not me."

Lathwen wasn't convinced, but on the other hand, it could just as well be true. The men were send to the Eastemnet in stead of Isengard to patrol. The Eorod of Theodred had not even been allowed near the large tower… Could it be true?

"That's terrible news." She said her voice no more then a whisper. She did not seem to be talking to Gandalf anymore.

At that point Háma walked into the little house. " My Lord King awaits you, Master Gandalf."

The old wizard stood and glanced to Lathwen one last time, "Try to stop the prince when he wants to go to Isengard." With that he walked out of the house, leaving Lathwen behind utterly confused.

Why should she stop him? Saruman had to be stopped, not Theodred. It would be a good thing if the prince would go there… wouldn't it? Lathwen sank down on a chair and rubbed her tired eyes. She had to see Theodred, what was keeping him so long. They had been gone for 2 weeks now.

Gandalf left.

With Shadowfax, and because of that the King, or it was better to say Grima, was extremely angry over that. One of the mearas had been taken away by Gandalf storm crow, as the Worm had began to call the wizard. More of the Rohirrim were angry because of the fact that Gandalf had taken Shadowfax with him, others said that it was a good point, for so they would be rid of the evil wizard. But there were few who still believed Gandalf to be a good person. Grima' words had done their damage.

Two weeks after the wizard left a call came up from the watchtower. Two Eoreds were approaching. "Theodred…" Lathwen whispered under her breath. She was standing in the Golden Hall, listing to the council that the King held every week to help his people. Not that Théoden offered much help the last years… A smile appeared on her face as she rushed outside, following Éowyn.

There they were, the Prince and his Nephew were riding at the head of the column. Lathwen tried hard not to ran down and meet Theodred, there was so much she had to tell him. About Gandalf, Grima and Éowyn. And she had missed him so much!

Yet it was Éowyn who pulled her down the stairs to greet her brother.

Lathwen, knowing that most people of Edoras were looking, bowed in front of the Prince, "It's good to see you back healthy, My Lord." She said, her voice betraying that she had missed him.

"It's good to see you as well, Lady Lathwen, would you help me to bring my luggage up to my room?"

"Of course."

And so, after Lathwen had greeted Éomer as well she followed the Prince at a respectable distance to his room. After closing the door Theodred pulled her into his arms and she stayed there for a long time.

"I'm so glad that you are back, you worried us." Lathwen finally whispered.

Theodred lowered his lips to her and soon it seemed to them that they were the only people breathing and living in Middle Earth, but the spell was broken when his lips left hers. His hands caressed her face as he looked deep into her eyes. They stood there in a blissful silence, until Theodred broke it.

"We encountered some orcs and I plan to go to the Isengard to see what Saruman is planning."

"You can't!" Lathwen almost screamed… " Gandalf said that…"

"Gandalf?" Theodred interrupted her.

"Yes, yes he has been here two weeks ago. Asking help or something, I did not got to hear the whole story, but Theodred…" she almost begged him. "He told me to stop you from going to Isengard…He did not explain."

"I have to go, my love, something has to be done about Saruman."

"When do you plan to leave?" Lathwen's voice was no more then a whisper and she had hid her face against his chest.

"In three days, Éomer is staying here to defend Edoras."

"But you've only just arrived!"

"As long as my father is under this spell and that worm is crawling around here, I can't stay here for longer then a week…" Theodred' voice sounded weak, "I can't see my father like this, Lathwen, please understand…"

Lathwen tried to imagine her father being under a spell, not himself and doing things of which she had never thought that he would do. Of course she would want to help him. Of course she would not be able to see him like that.

"I understand…" she whispered. Then she reached up and placed a soft kiss on his lips, "As long as you promise me to be careful."

"I promise… and when this war is over, I promise to marry you, Lathwen, if you will have me."

"Aye, My Lord, I wish to marry you with all my heart!"

TBC...