Disclaimer:
I own nothing, everything belongs to mister Tolkien, who had created the wonderful fantasy story 'the Lord of the Rings'. Also I took some lines from the movie, as you might notice, they of course belong to Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.

Hama's Daughter

Chapter 6

Edoras, March 2nd.

It was Háma, her father who had followed her first. Lathwen had hided away in a dark corner, close to the doors and she did not even look up when her father took her in his arms. She only buried her face against his shoulder, sobbing carelessly.

After a short moment she had calmed down a bit and she managed to whisper,

"I'm so happy that Théoden King is back to normal, but I wish that Theodred would have been able to see his father like this. I wish that Gandalf had come earlier…I…" yet again Lathwen started crying, although it was a lot calmer then before.

"Hush, my dear," Háma said, he himself had tears in his eyes, but he would not let them fall, he would be strong for his daughter, "The prince can see his father now and I'm sure that he will look after you now that he is with his forefathers."

Father and daughter were left in peace for a short while, for outside Théoden now was convinced that his son had died. Yet where was Éomer? Gamling, soon informed him of what had happened and immediately Théoden ordered for Éomer to be released.

The grief on his face was clearly seen, yet the man had not cried yet. It seemed to him that he had had to pay for taking Grima as his counsellor. He should have been wiser. He should have seen what the Worm was doing to him and his dear ones. The heartbreak that Théoden had seen in Lathwen eyes explained why she had rushed inside so suddenly and why his doorward and friend had followed so quickly.

Had he been blind? Even before he got under Saruman' spell he had seen that his son and Lathwen shared a special bond. But now it was all to late, his son was dead.

Dead.

He had never thought that he would survive his own child. He had wanted for Theodred to live in peace. The King had wanted so see his son on the thrown of Rohan, with a beautiful queen at his side. He had wanted to play with his grandchildren and spoil them.

And now all his dreams would not come true. His son had died.

Slowly, as if he saw nobody around him he made his way back to the Golden Hall, he wanted to talk to Lathwen, tell her that he was sorry for what had happened, that he should not have been blind to such things.

The doors opened again and Háma looked up. As he saw the king enter he whispered something in Lathwen' ear before slowly letting go of her and standing up to bow to his King who nodded back to him.

Lathwen had stood as well and she made a courtesy to the King, her eyes ever fixed on her feet.

"Lathwen, please, sit down," those were the first words that the King had directed to her in a very long time and Lathwen bit her lip as she tried to stop her tears from falling.

The King himself sat down next to her in silence.

It was Lathwen herself who broke this silence as she said.

"He would have been very happy, my lord, to see that you have become yourself again."

Her words were said in whisper and she did not look up to Théoden who was struggling with his own tears.

"I'm sorry, Lathwen, if I would not have been so blind you and …" he swallowed before he continued, "Theodred who have had some years of joy."

"It's not your fault, my lord."

A silence fell between them, two mourning souls. One for his only child and the other for her lost beloved.

"Look at me, Lathwen."

Slowly Lathwen raised her eyes to the King with a questioning glance in them. Her eyes were red from crying, both tears of joy and tears of sadness and her pale skin, now looked red from so much emotions.

Théoden reached out with is left hand and softly touched her cheek. He himself freely let his tears go for he was not ashamed of them.

No words were necessary they understood the other' grief and Lathwen smiled slightly to the King in whose face in turn appeared a small smile as well.

Everybody was gathered at the end of the steps that leaded up to the Golden Hall, except for Théoden, Éowyn, Éomer, Háma, Lathwen and six guards who carried the body of the prince on a bier made of shields and spears.

First Háma stepped down followed by the body of the prince, then Théoden, followed by Éomer and Éowyn. Lathwen followed them. Behind her the four strange guest closed the procession. But what else could have been done? Nobody in Edoras, or in Rohan for that matter, knew about the love that Theodred had for Lathwen and reversed. Lathwen was already glad that she could walk with her prince to his last resting place.

Éowyn had asked her if she wanted to sing the burial song, but Lathwen had denied, saying that she probably would not be able to sing once they had arrived.

And that had been a true feeling. As they walked down the steps and Lathwen could see the faces of the citizens of Edoras and other guests she could not help it; but tears again rolled over her cheeks.

Now that they arrived down by the burial mound it was time to say her last goodbye. First the King, then Éomer and Éowyn. After Éowyn had said goodbye she started to sing in a haunting voice.

"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended,"

Lathwen stepped forward and first made courtesy to the Prince' body before stepping next to the bier, not taking her eyes of the Prince' face.

"Giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende,"

"I love you, Theodred, and I always will," she whispered as she bend over his body to place the white flowers in his cold hands. Cold. It was such a difference from those days ago, when it had been Theodred who had warmed her hands, because she had spend to long outside.

"On Meduselde þæt he ma no wære, Þæt he ma nowere is, þurh niedig rest."

As she stepped back the six guards carefully placed the bier in the tomb on the sign of the King, who, Lathwen noticed through her own tears, was crying as well.

"And mægen deorost. Bealo…"

Gone.

Now he was really gone.

No more hiding of her feelings for the prince, everybody knew by now that she and Theodred had had some kind of relationship. The display at the funeral must have said enough. But Lathwen would trade it all back to have the Prince back in her life. She didn't mind the fact that they had to keep their relationship secret, she had him. And that was more important to her then anything else.

Now she would not be able to see him again. She would not be able to touch him or to feel his lips on hers. She would never hear is soft voice again. She would never feel his arms around her again. Never.

He was gone.

Only in her dreams she now saw him, sometimes. But she didn't get much comfort from it. She wanted him back with her, living and breathing. Being happy over the fact that his father was back to normal, that the Worm was gone.

Lathwen was called to the Great Hall later that afternoon; two children had arrived at Meduseld right after the funeral. Lathwen had not been there, for she had retired to the house that she shared with her father immediately.

As she walked into the hall, she noticed that only the three guests, Gandalf, Éowyn, Éomer and the King were in the hall. With the two children of course.

The King looked up as she entered and nodded, it seemed to Lathwen that he almost apologised for taking her away from her grief, but he needed her hand in taking care of the children. Théoden doubted that their mother would still be alive and was hoping that Lathwen (just as she had done with Éomer and Éowyn) could help them.

Gandalf, who was sitting next to the King nodded to her as well, but his expression was grave and Lathwen knew that his mind was on other business.

The man, elf and dwarf were sitting on the left side of the hall. The dwarf was eating a rich meal and the man was smoking. The elf simply sat on the other side of the table, watching her as well.

But Lathwen did not pay any attention to them, no the two children who were now eating had her attention. They seemed starved and tired.

"They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the Wildmen are moving through westfold, burning as they go, every Rick, cot and tree," it was Éowyn who had spoken, she was kneeling down next to the little girl who was eating as if she had not had a meal in days.

Lathwen took Éowyn place as the girl asked, "Where' mama?"

"Hush, we'll talk later alright? First eat a bit, you both look starved."

The conversation around them continued but Lathwen made sure that the children both ate enough.

"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven mad by the fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight."

At the last sentence of what Gandalf had said Lathwen looked up from the girl who had been crying a little.

"Fight? But…" Lathwen was silenced with one look of the King. Hurt and confused Lathwen returned her attention back to the little girl, who's name was Freda, the boy, Éothan, was very protective over her.

"I know what is that you want of me. But I would not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."

"But my lord something had to be done about those beast running across our fields," Éomer, who was now standing next to his sister, had spoken and Théoden looked to him. But before he was able to say something the man spoke up.

"Open war is upon you, whether would risk it or not."

Théoden slowly walked over to Aragorn and Lathwen looked to him closely when he said. "When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn was King of Rohan."

Aragorn? Lathwen pondered as she softly stroke the little girls hair. Aragorn as in heir of Isildur? She looked differently to the man now who seemed so strong, but yet he seemed to prefer to use words to come to a solution.

Luckily Gandalf broke the tension by saying, "Then what is the King' decision?"

TBC...

Thanks for your reviews! I love them!

Let me know what you think about this chapter, took me quite some time to write...

Maikie