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' Daughter

Chapter 7

Lathwen, knowing that she already had said enough kept quiet as the King walked back to his thrown. Freda in the mean time was now sitting on her lap, she had fallen asleep. Absentminded Lathwen stroke the girl? hair. The boy was yawning as well but he did not want to fall asleep. Lathwen understood this perfectly, but she also saw that Éothan was exhausted, just like his sister. So she pulled him closer and soon he was asleep as well, leaning against Lathwen who was now listening intently to the silence around her.

It seemed to her that nobody wanted to disrupt the King? thoughts. Which was a good thing, because it was Théoden? decision, whether the Rohirrim would go to war or not. In her heart, she already knew that war would be inevitable, but her eyes began to tear up as she heard the King say:

"We shall ride to Helms Deep, we will be saver there, and it's easier to protect. Éomer?"

Éomer stepped forward from where he had been standing with his sister.

"Tell the riders to be ready by nightfall, I want all the woman and children ready as well."

"The woman and children, my lord?" It was not Éomer who had spoken but Lathwen, "Can't we stay here?"

"We have no change of protecting you here," Théoden said, he seemed a bit angry to Lathwen but he managed to keep it in control, "It will be much easier to do so in Helms Deep, there are enough provisions there." The tone of his voice made it clear that the discussion was closed.

"Of course my lord, excuse me." Lathwen said timidly.

The boy, Éothan had woken up when she had spoken. While the Éomer stepped outside Lathwen stood up, carefully not to wake Freda as she held her more secure in her arms, "Come on," she whispered to Éothan as she took his hand, "You both need to sleep a bit before we set out for Helms Deep."

"Will we see mamma there again?" Éothan asked, also in a whisper.

"You may, boy, you may," Lathwen said, not sure what else she could have said. It was unlikely that their mother was still alive, but as long as they had had no news of her death, it would be cruel to take away the last hope of the two children.

The two children were peacefully asleep in Lathwen' bed. Lathwen had not want to leave them alone, but she had to pack as well, both for her father and for her. Hama was busy helping the citizens of Edoras to pack, but his mind mostly was with his daughter. Her love had just been buried and now she had to leave the city which she had not left before. Of course she had been on rides across the plains, but never before she had been to another town in Rohan.

Now Lathwen was sitting on the floor close to the fire quickly looking through her possessions, they had been told to travel lightly and only take with them what they would need. But Lathwen did not want to leave all her memories behind. The things that her mother had given her when she was little, and her first necklace that she had gotten on her sixteen birthday, that had been before she had first met the prince mind you. Of course, the things that Theodred had given her were hard to leave behind as well.

A little wooden box stood in front of her. It contained several letters that Theodred had been able to send her when he was on a mission. Also a leather-bound book that her mother had given her on her 18th birthday was amongst her dearest possessions. In this book she had dried a single yellow little flower. Theodred had given that to her on her eighteenth birthday.

Háma, the King doorwarden now for 2 years was leaning against the doorpost of his house, watching the scene inside.

It was a beautiful summer day, the day of his daughter' birthday and friends and family had gather to celebrate. Yet it was a quiet celebration, for his wife, Earla, was sick and probably would not survive much longer.

It was hard for the man to believe that she would be gone soon. His daughter was old enough, she would miss her mother, but she would be able to go on. But would he? Earla had always been there. From the return of his first battle to him being appointed as doorwarden. She had comforted him when he lost a friend through battle. She was the one who had loved him back. She was his first and only love and now she was about to die. At least he would be able to say goodbye properly.

But now was not a time to dwell on sad feelings, his daughter was eighteen years old today. He turned his gaze outside as he heard footsteps approaching and was very surprised when he saw the prince in a simple green tunic making his way over to their little house.

"My prince," he said as Theodred stood in front of him. The doorwarden bowed to his prince but Theodred said.

"No need, Háma, today I'm here as a friend, not as a prince. May I congratulate you with your daughter' birthday?"

Háma laughed and signaled for the Prince to enter, "Of course, Theodred, now come on I'm sure that my wife and daughter would love to see you."

Lathwen had just been laughing over something that her mother had said when she saw someone coming in from the corner of her eye. She looked up and was very surprised to see the Prince standing there. Quickly she stood (just like everybody else) and made a small courtesy. The prince was there? On her birthday. A blush crept up her cheeks, for she already knew then that she liked the man very much. Yet he had shown no more interest in her then a smile here and there and polite conversations.

Lathwen' mother, Earla struggled to sit up, but Theodred said, "Please don't bother, I'm just here as a friend, not as a royal."

Earla smiled to the prince and laid back down, though it was obvious to Háma (who had followed Theodred inside) that she was in much pain as she did so. He sat down on the bed next to her and took her small hand in his, squeezing it lightly.

Lathwen in the mean time dared to look up, "Prince Theodred, it's an honor."

"I'm not a Prince now, Lady Lathwen," he made to continue but Lathwen interrupted him, "And I'm not a lady, Theodred."

Had she really said that? She had interrupted the prince in talking, her face was bright red again as she looked to the ground, she heard her father chuckle and was about to glare to him when Theodred said.

"You are now, Lathwen."

He paused long enough for Lathwen to look up. The whole room had gone silence and Lathwen could feel her friend' eyes on her as she looked into the Prince' eyes.

Theodred smiled to her and handed here 18 little yellow flowers.

"Are you ready?"

Lathwen was shaken out of her reverie by her father stepping into the room.

"Almost…almost," she said absent-minded as she put the little flower back in the book.

"You can't take that with you, we have to travel quick without many burdens," Háma was standing behind her, looking to the little box in which she had just put the book back.

"I will not leave it here," Lathwen said firmly.

"Lathwen… please, don't be stubborn, we have to get going, wake up the two children, I want you outside with them as soon as you can," Háma voice was strict as he spoke. The orders from the King had been very clear. They should not burden themselves with treasures but with the things that they needed, and that did not involve simple letters or books.

But the books and letters were just the thing that Lathwen needed now, she wanted to get over her grief. So when her father left she put the wooden box carefully in her bag, but she covered it with food and some spare clothes. Then she got up to wake Éothan and Freda.

TBC...

Short chapter I know… thanks for your reviews! I love them!

Maikie