Disclaimer:
I own nothing, everything belongs to mister Tolkien, who has 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 Jackon, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.

Háma's Daughter

Chapter 9

Edoras, summer of 2998.

Lathwen was walking around outside of Edoras, close to the burial mounds of the former Kings. Her mother had died one year ago, just two weeks after her eighteenth birthday. She still missed her terribly, and so did her father. Háma was up at the Golden Hall, standing watch in front of the doors, as usual. His daughter knew that he was suffering and tried everything to cheer him up. Things were getting better though.

At home it was now Lathwen who did all the chores. Cooking and cleaning became a part of her daily ritual. After that she usually went to the Golden Hall to help the servants there with cleaning, for her father wanted her to spend time with her friends still. They always had a lot of fun there. Her best Friend, Freyda, usually helped her with whatever they were supposed to do. And laugh that they did. Over the most stupid things they could laugh for an hour. But then they were usually silenced by a stern look of one of the counsellors who happened to pass by.

Now it was late in the afternoon and Lathwen was collecting some flowers for her mother' grave when she heard a lone horse riding up to Edoras. She looked up and immediately recognised the figure of the prince.

He halted his horse right in front of her and Lathwen looked up to him with a smile before sinking into a low courtesy.

"My lord," she said, her gaze directed to the ground.

Theodred dismounted and took her hand, helping her up, "My Lady, might I enquire how you are doing?"

Lathwen smiled to him and answered with a slight blush on her face, "You may, my Lord, I'm quite well, thank you. What about you, Prince Theodred?"

"I'm fine, now that I see you again."

The blush on Lathwen' face only deepens and she looked to the ground, "Don't play with me, Theodred."

The prince and her had been on friendly terms for quite some time now and they usually joked around with his title, just as what had happened now. Lathwen still was in love with him, but she wasn't sure of the prince' feelings towards her. He usually joked around about how beautiful she was, but she did not know if those were his real feelings. She did not feel beautiful. Certainly not when she compared herself to the women at court. The noble lady's.

Theodred squeezed her hand to make her look up and as she did she looked into his brown eyes.

"I'm not playing…"

For a while they stared into each others eyes until Lathwen looked away again.

"Want to go for a ride?" Theodred asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence for a moment.

"How were you planning to do that? My horse is back at Edoras, and these are not exactly riding clothes are they?"

Theodred laughed and without a warning he picked her up at her waist, setting her on his horse and then mounting up behind her. He securely wrapped his arms around her, taking the reins and leading his horse into a small trot.

The blush on Lathwen' face had not disappeared.

Helms deep March 3rd

"Lathwen… Lathwen!"

The voice that was calling her was strong and firm and she recognised it from somewhere. It was not someone whom she was familiar with. No… she had just met the man, yes it was the man from a couple of days ago.

"She's waking up…"

That was the voice again.

Right after that had been said Lathwen sat straight up from her cot. Her eyes were wide open as she looked to the people standing around her, "Where's my father… say that it was just a dream. He is not dead is he?"

"Hush calm down…"

The same voice again. Lathwen looked to the hand that had been placed on her shoulder before she looked to the man that it belonged to. "My Lord, where is my father, you must know," her voice was a lot calmer then before, but her entire body was just as tense. She did not want to loose her father… not another death.

It was Aragorn, one of the companions of Gandalf. He looked hurt himself… yet why was he sitting on her side? Lathwen looked around again. Éowyn and Éomer were there as well and the elf, all three of them looked quite worried.

"Where is he?" she finally snapped, she wanted to see him now and they did not answer her questions. She was almost yelled at them. Anger was boiling inside her but grief was ever present, in her heart she already knew that he was dead, she had not dreamed it. It had been true, the King had returned without her father… The blanket that was now half thrown back; she was clutching it as if her life depended on it.

"He did not survive the attack, but he died with honour, he saved Gamling' life," it was Éomer who had spoken, softly, so very unlike him.

Lathwen was crying now, but she did not notice, "You said you would bring him back… you promised… he promised… I…"

She got up and stumbled over to Éomer, as she stood right in front of him she looked up to his face. Just as large as his cousin. No… not Theodred, don't think about him now.

"You promised…" her voice was weak and broken.

"I tried Lathwen… I really did," he said, his voice still so soft that Lathwen could hardly believe that she was talking to the Third Marshall.

Lathwen felt an arm around her waist and she was guided away by someone. As she looked up she looked into the face of Éowyn, "Lets get you something to eat," she whispered softly, "You must be hungry."

But she wasn't hungry… she wanted her father back, and Theodred, but that not going to happen. Yet she let Éowyn guide her away to the caves. Still she felt broken and lost. What now? What would she do with her life?

Aragorn looked to the retreating figures of Éowyn and Lathwen a worried look on his face, "I hope she has the strength to carry on…" he said in a whisper, only Legolas had heard him.

Legolas looked to Aragorn and nodded, "I think she will, mellonamin, yet it is her choice to make."

Éomer looked to the too of them, a frown on his face, "She's a strong woman, not as strong as my sister, but she will survive."

"That is only if we are able to defend this keep," it was the rough voice of the dwarf that sounded through the hall.

"You are right Gimli, we have to get ready."

The battle of Helms Deep was long and hard. The sounds of battle even reached their ears; the woman and the children were scared. All except two; Lathwen and Éowyn. Éowyn because she wanted to fight herself, she did not want to be locked up with the woman and children. What honour was to be found in that? She hated the cage that had been build around her.

And Lathwen? She simply did not care anymore, weather she would die or not. She longed for death, for then she would see her parents and her beloved again. She was sitting in a small corner, close to the doors that lead to the keep, while the other women had fled further into the cave. No, scared of death, she would not be anymore.

TBC...

Sorry that it took so long! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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Maikie