I owe nothing, everything belongs to mister Tolkien, who had created the wonderful fantasy story 'the Lord of the Rings'.
Háma's Daughter
Chapter 10
The battle was over.
And they had won. But it was not something that Lathwen could enjoy. People had been cheering when the elves had arrived, they had been crying when the battle had started... and now they were cheering again. King Théoden had lead his people to victory. The elves had fought bravely and the orcs were dead.
Yet Lathwen could not bring herself to smile, to celebrate, like everybody else. The battle was over, yes, that was good. But so many had lost their lives at the walls of Helms Deep. Elves, man, little boys even. For Lathwen that wasn't something to be happy about; she was glad for the ones who had died, for she wanted to die herself.
"Lathwen?"
Lathwen looked up from where she had been leaning against the cold wall of the room where Théoden King had set up his throne for the moment.
A slight smile appeared on her face, yet it did not reach her eyes. "Yes, Eowyn?"
"Would you help me? Théoden King has ordered everybody to return to their villages. Some have lost their houses and are to go with us to Edoras."
"Of course, my lady, just let me pack my things first, then I'll help you," her voice was detached, cold even.
Ever since the news of her father' death had reached her ears Lathwen had been subdued, even more so then when she had lost Theodred. This was because it was the second dear one that she lost in such a short time. It was war yes, and she was sure that she wasn't the only woman who was grieving for loved ones who had not survived, but she couldn't bring herself to be happy anymore. Not now. Probably not ever.
The journey back to Edoras was a quiet affair. Even the soldiers were calm. They were glad to be returning back to the capital yes, but they knew that it would only be for a short time. The war had started. Gandalf had been happy that this battle was over, Lathwen had been able to see it in his face. But still the wizard seemed to be worried about something. No, war was far from over.
Edoras, march 6th
Finally the golden roof of the capital came into view and finally Lathwen began to relax. The whole journey she had been walking with the old people who needed a hand often. She was glad that she had something to do while walking that kept her mind away from… other things.
Because she was helping the older people she did not notice that both Eomer and Eowyn were keeping a sharp eye on her. The siblings were worried about the woman who took them under her wings when they arrived first at Edoras. They had started to love her as a mother, but later that had turned into a dear friend. Eowyn did not know if she could stand to lose someone so close to her again. First Theodred and then Lathwen as well?
Lathwen as barely eating anything, only a bit of soup every time she was offered, but that was it. Eomer watched this anxiously. Of course there were other things on his mind as well; the war, the health of his uncle, the little hobbit who had looked into the cursed seeing stone and the words that Sauruman had spoken. Yet Lathwen was in his mind as well. He was glad when the city came into view. Perhaps it would help his friend if she had things on her hands, normal things. Like things were before the war started… but it never really would be the same.
As Lathwen stepped into the house that she used to share with her father she let her tears flow freely. The whole road she had attempted to keep them to herself, but at night that had not always worked. Now she was at home, alone.
Closing the door behind her she stepped further into the house. Everywhere she looked reminded her of her father. An old sword stood in the corner. A tunic that he had forgotten to pack was still lying on the table in the middle of the room. Right in front of the door she sank to her knees and cried.
A knock on the door made her aware of her surroundings. "Who's there?" she called, trying not to sound like she had just been crying, but that did not work.
"It's me, Legolas," a voice said.
Of course, she had promised someone a bed in her house, though she had had no idea that that had been Legolas.
"Just a moment!" she said as she got up and quickly whipped away her tears. Perhaps it would have been better if she had not agreed to it. Now she would not be alone. And Lathwen knew that she would only let her grief out if she was alone. It was as if she had put a mask on her face as she opened the door. There was a smile on her face, but her eyes showed the grief that she still felt.
"Come in, my Lord, I have not been able to prepare your bed already, you can wait in here if you don't mind," her voice was just as detached and cold as it had been the whole journey.
"Of course, my Lady," Legolas said and stepped inside the room as Lathwen opened the door further so that he could enter. He only carried a little bag that he put on the table.
"Then I'll prepare your room now," she announced walking to the room that always had belonged to her parents and later to only her father. She closed the door behind her, but she knew that she couldn't let her façade drop now. With his elfish hearing he probably knew when she was crying. Though it was hard to be in the room she began changing the sheets with an expressionless face.
Edoras, March 7th
Legolas didn't stay long, for which Lathwen was grateful, she longed to be alone. The King, Eomer and Eowyn had left as well; along with almost all the soldiers that the Riddermark had. They were preparing to ride to war in Minas Tirith. The King had ordered all the soldiers in the land to ride to Dunharrow from where they would set out to the south. Lathwen had said them all farewell on the steps of Meduseld. She had wished them luck and had said that she would want to see them back as soon as they could.
Eomer had looked worried to her as she said goodbye to him. She told him to be careful, to watch his back and to return save and sound.
Eowyn was only going to the encampment as Dunharrow, but Lathwen looked deep into her eyes and narrowed them, "Don't do any rash things Eowyn," she whispered as she hugged the younger woman close.
Theoden wanted to say farewell as well and he said to her that he would consider her to be a daughter for ever. Those words were all that brought Lathwen to tears. She had been on the verge of tears ever since the farewell saying had began. Oh she would miss them. Now she had nobody to talk to in her mind.
She stood on the stone steps as the riders set out. A long line of men on horseback. Half of them probably would never return from the South. It was silent in the city. Woman and children were the only ones left, along with a few older guards who would not be able to make the journey south. "Which also means that they won't be able to protect us properly," Lathwen had thought as she had heard the news. But she didn't care. If she died now then she would die gladly and with a sword in her hand; for vengeance.
TBC
Sorry that it took so long, but I had absolutely no inspiration left. I'm not entirely happy with this either, but I figured that I let you wait long enough. Thank you for your patients and I love your reviews! Also, I'm still looking for a beta reader. Oh yes and I started on another Elanor/Fastred story, so that will be posted on the web as well, although not yet. You'll see. Thanks again for reading!