Disclaimer:

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

Reviews:

Thanks again for your review! And yes, in the books Theodred dies right away, but for this story I sometimes take the books an other times take the movie as my guide. And in the movie he is brought back to Edoras… as you will see in this chapter.

Hama' Daughter

Chapter 3

Edoras, February the 26th.

Lathwen was pacing. She couldn't find rest anymore. It has been two months since Theodred had left for Isengard. Two months without news, without any sign that he and his men were still alive. She was in her bedroom, waiting for her father to come home for dinner. Perhaps he had some news. She prayed to the Valar that Theodred would be alright, that he would survive whatever he was going through.

A knock on the door of their house surprised her, normally her father did not knock, and she did not expect any visitors. Quickly she walked to the door and opened it.

It was Myra, one of the servants in the Golden Hall, "Your presence is requested by the Lord Éomer, quickly."

Without asking any questions Lathwen followed the younger girl up the steps. As they entered the Golden Hall Lathwen scanned it quickly. It was quiet and there was no sign of Éomer.

"Were is Lord Éomer?"

"In the Prince' room."

"Is Theodred back?" She tried to keep her voice in control, it would ruin everything if this girl found out that she had a relationship with the Prince, she was the worst gossip of the Hall. But Myra did not answer her question and simply said. "You'll find your way." Quickly the girl turned around and walked towards the kitchen, leaving Lathwen behind.

But not for long, Lathwen made her way to the Prince' room with haste. What was going on… was Theodred back? And why had there been no call from the watchtower? Why had Éomer send for her?

Almost all her questions were answered as she opened the door to Theodred' room. There the prince was, but he did not look healthy at all. Blood was seen on his face and his tunic was thorn on different places, dark red, the fabric was. Lathwen had no eyes or ears for others in the room, she burst forward, without closing the door behind her, and kneeled down next to her love.

"Theodred…" she whispered, with tears in her eyes as she hesitantly stroke his hair.

She did not hear the door being closed and she did not even look up when a soft hand was placed on her shoulder. No, tears were rolling over her cheeks as she kept saying her beloved' name.

No, it couldn't be true, it was all just a dream that he was lying there, almost dead. He reacted a little to her touch, but he did not open his eyes. He did not speak.

"Lathwen…" a soft voice spoke to her, slowly she looked up.

Lady Éowyn was standing there, pity and sorrow to be seen in her eyes as she gently squeezed Lathwen' shoulder, "He asked for you."

Éomer was in the room as well, standing near the door that he had just closed. He had found his cousin at the Ford of Isen, he had been the only man alive. But Éomer knew that Theodred would not survive his wounds. "He told us…" Éomer said as soft as his voice would allow, as he saw the look that Lathwen cast to both of them. It seemed that she was afraid,

"Does… does anybody else now?" she sounded broken and she was clutching Theodred' hand in hers.

"No…" Éowyn said, "He only told us…"

Lathwen did not need to know more and she turned back to Theodred. "Wake up…" she whispered through her tears, "Wake up, my love."

But Theodred did not move…

Lathwen staid in the Prince' room for the rest of the night, not daring to move away from his side. Éowyn had told her father where she was and both the siblings had given her some time alone with the Prince. Éomer had put a guard in front of the Prince' room, nobody was allowed entrance except for him and his sister. Lathwen staid.

Seeing that Theodred had quite a large bed Lathwen fell asleep next to him, still holding his hand. But sleep did not come easy to the woman, for she was worried. It was as if she almost knew that her beloved would die soon. She did not want it to happen! Who would?

Éowyn had come in later in the night, but she had not awaken Lathwen and had sit down in a comfortable chair, falling asleep right there as she watched her cousin with her friend. It wasn't even a weird idea to think that these two people were together. Even though Theodred was 3 years older then Lathwen it seemed to Éowyn that they belonged together.

As Lathwen awoke she first thought that all had been a bad dream. But where was she then? She did not recognise the room to be hers, no it was the prince'. Quickly she sat up and looked next to her, and yet again tears were spilling. "Theodred…" she whispered kissing his hands and then moving up to kiss his forehead. As far as she knew the prince was still alive, perhaps he would respond to her touches now?

And respond he did, it was only a mutter, and he had not even opened his eyes, but Lathwen knew for sure that he had spoken her name.

"Yes…" Lathwen said, a sad smile appearing on her face as she stroke his hair out of his face, "Yes it's me, my love."

"I…" Theodred started to say but Lathwen hushed him.

"You must not tire yourself, my love, rest, please, you will survive."

Ever so lightly Theodred shook his head and he struggled for a moment to open his eyes, as he had finally managed he looked deep into hers and said, " I won't… Please… A...Lathwen…"

The tears were freely running over her cheeks now as she tried to say something, but Theodred was faster.

"Remember… I love…" he took another deep breath before he spoke again, "you…"

That was the last time that Theodred had spoken. His voice had been raspy and no doubt that it had hurt to speak, but all of that did not matter to Lathwen who stared to his now completely lifeless form. "No…" she whispered, but her pleads got louder.

"No Theodred, you can't leave me… please, don't go where I can't follow! Theodred!"

She sobbed in despair as she clutched his lifeless hand.

Éowyn, who had been awoken by Lathwen' calls was crying as well, but silently, as she kneeled down on the other side of Theodred' bed, taking his other hand in hers. As both the woman cried for their loved one Éomer entered as well. His face set as he motioned someone else to step into the room as well. It was Háma and he looked to the situation with sadness in his eyes.

They remained there for quite some time. Four grieving persons.

TBC...