At the Mercy of a Burning Coal

Disclaimer: Valentine Bear- Again, Dawnie doesn’t own anything…you know what? I’m thinking I should get paid for this. Me: Not a chance.
Note: I know this is short, but I have a HUGE math test to study for, and I absolutely despise math.

Glorfindel briefly closed his eyes, a slight furrow in his brow. He gently pulled Antien away from his golden hair and said slowly, breaking the silence, “You should not do that.” “Do what?” Lathwen asked. “Survive in that way.”

Lathwen raised her eyebrows, “Is there another way then? Perhaps you’d like to enlighten us.” Lily added, “My lord, your situation is different than ours.”

Glorfindel’s eyes opened again, “That does not mean we do not understand. When it comes to this way of living…the way you warrior maidens live, we elven warrior’s understand.” His eyes flickered briefly to Lathwen’s as he said this, causing her to remember their conversation way back when Glorfindel was grieving. She still didn’t fully understand why he was grieving…but that wasn’t of consequence.

Lathwen sighed, “Go on then my lord.” “Glorfindel.” The elf lord said firmly. Lathwen quirked an eyebrow, “If you say so…Lord Glorfindel.” Glorfindel glared at her and she smirked.

Nevertheless, the elf lord said, “You do not have to give up hope and sever all ties. You can still raise a family—” “What man would put up with this?” Lily argued. Glorfindel answered, “A warrior, one of the dunedain…someone who understands. You can still visit those you love—”

Lathwen and Lily snorted. “I’m never going back there.” Lathwen whispered to Lily who nodded and whispered back, “Not a chance.” Glorfindel raised an eyebrow but didn’t press the subject. He was temporarily distracted by the fact that Tirion was tugging on his golden hair, but went on, “Yes, you can.” His tone was firm. “You do not have to exile yourselves.”

Lathwen shook her head vehemently in indignation, “We are not doing that! Edhelwen, Nestariel, Lily and I can go back wherever whenever we want! The question is…do we want to? Lily and I don’t…or at least, not right now…but I’m not some barbaric leader who holds soldiers captive! Nestariel and Edhelwen are free to leave this place whenever they want!”

Glorfindel sighed and raised his eyes to the heavens, “Very well. I will not argue this matter anymore…but my point is that you do not have to forget…you don’t have to let go to survive out here.”

Lily glared at the elf lord, “Some of us do.” She pointed out. “If some of us don’t forget, we’ll be driven to insanity by the want for revenge on all we have suffered.”

Glorfindel was looking positively alarmed, and tightened his hold around Antien and Tirion. Nestaron was slightly paler, and Ridhion’s eyebrows were meeting his hairline. The diplomat however, was as calm as ever. Typical.

Lily sighed and stood up, “What I mean,” She said, “Is that some of us need to forget. It’s good for us not to relive the past. No one among you wants to relive a battle…do you?” The elves shook their heads.

Lathwen stood up and discarded her grey cloak, draping it over a chair. She turned and faced the guests, “Let us forget about this…we will not speak of the matter anymore. The important thing my lords, is that you realize that we like living this way.” The room was silent except for Antien’s sudden wail.

Lathwen instantly went over and held out her arms. Glorfindel, looking hesitant at first, handed his nephew to the leader of the Outlaw Maidens. Lathwen rocked him gently and kissed his forehead, murmuring reassurances. Antien stopped crying eventually, but was still whimpering, his face tinged pink.

Lathwen sighed as she realized the problem, “It’s feeding time.” She explained. Nestariel rose and pulled a bottle from a shelf and handed it to Lathwen who put the tip in Antien’s mouth and fed him. She looked up and said, “My lords…I realize it has been a long journey…would you like to bathe? You can eat afterwards.”

Ridhion grinned and stood up. Nestaron let out a gratified sigh. “Towels, soap, and washcloths are in there already.” Lathwen said, “There are enough tubs for all—” Nestaron and Ridhion didn’t wait for her to finish her sentence, but let out a whoop and raced to the bathroom.

Lathwen smiled slightly and finished feeding Antien. “Nessie…is there another bottle for Tirion?” She called absentmindedly as she wiped Antien’s mouth off. She silently handed Glorfindel his nephew, only to receive the other one. “They like you.” Glorfindel explained, a twinkle in his eye.

Lathwen gave a small smile back before taking the bottle from Nestariel and feeding Tirion. She sat down in a chair by the fire, and behind her she heard the diplomat say to Glorfindel, “I will wait my lord.” The elf lord replied, “No, no Maetherion. You go…I will wait.” Lathwen heard Maetherion hesitantly walk in the direction of the baths. Maetherion. So that was his name.

Lathwen stood up and walked over to the table where Edhelwen and Lily were sitting. Edhelwen sighed, “Today’s my washing day, I know…but can someone else do the clothes if I start dinner?” Lily grinned, “A trade off? Absolutely! We all know the dinner I make will likely be burned.” She stood up quickly and dashed into their room to pick up the basket of dirty clothes and wash them in the river before diner time.

Nestariel shrugged, “Edhelwen and I have nothing important to do right now…anyone want to join a quick card game?” Lathwen shook her head, “No thanks girls.” Nestariel looked expectantly at Glorfindel who smiled but shook his head, “I have my hands full.” He said, motioning to the squirming baby on his lap.

Lathwen chuckled as Tirion pushed away the bottle and let out a yawn. He made soft cooing sounds as Lathwen rocked him. She placed the empty bottle on the shelf and walked back over to Glorfindel and sat down next to him.

Lathwen sighed, “I’m sorry, Lord Glorfindel…I did not mean to sound so harsh earlier on.” Glorfindel shook his head, “There is nothing to forgive. I understand that adapting to such a life can be trying.” Lathwen snorted and rolled her eyes, “That’s putting it mildly. We have so much to still do and learn…” She motioned to Nestariel and Edhelwen who were playing their card game with enthusiasm. “I don’t know how they find the patience to put up with it all. Come to that I don’t know how they have the patience to put up with *me*.”

Glorfindel answered, “Lathwen…do you not you realize?” Lathwen looked at his suspiciously as she took her hair out of Tirion’s mouth. “Realize what?” Glorfindel shook his head, “That these maidens will follow you wherever you go! They are inspired and guided by you Lathwen…without you, they would be lost.” Lathwen looked at her lap. Glorfindel went on, “You are their best friend and a good companion. They will not desert you in hard times…their loyalty and trust runs to deep for that.”

Lathwen shook her head, “I don’t understand their way of thinking.” Glorfindel answered softly, “Lathwen…surely you must see? You are their light. You are lucky to have friends so faithful…they will not abandon.”

Lathwen frowned and looked down at Tirion who was sleeping. “We should put them to bed.” She said. Glorfindel looked at Antien who was beginning to yawn at last. But both of them stayed where they were, reluctant to have the babies taken from their grasp.

A thought strayed to Lathwen’s mind, and she said softly, “Lord Glorfindel…can you tell me about Gondolin. Before it fell.” She saw him wince and there was a flicker of pain in those bright blue eyes. “Perhaps another time.” He said in an equally soft voice, “And you must learn to call me ‘Glorfindel’.” Lathwen sighed and rolled her eyes, “Does it really matter? ‘Glorfindel’ and ‘Lord Glorfindel’ are really the same person.”
“It matters to me.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m tired of being ‘my lorded’ all of the time. I have enough of that for two lifetimes combined.”
“I’ll remember sooner or later. Old habits die hard.”
“You haven’t even known me for a year, Lathwen.”
“So? It’s called respect Lord Glorfindel…you’re very lucky I show you some anyway.”

Glorfindel raised his eyes to the heavens but didn’t reply. Lathwen positioned Tirion so his elbow wasn’t pressing into her side. “How are things in Lorien? You haven’t told us yet.” She said.

Glorfindel nodded, “Lady Sarethiel and the babe are in stable condition. When I left, the searches had already been conducted and everyone could come out of hiding and go back to their homes. The Lord and Lady have reestablished the security around the borders so nothing will be able to pass without their permission. All fares well.”

Lathwen nodded and stared into the fire. Glorfindel glanced at her and asked hesitantly, “Will you tell me of your home?” Lathwen blinked, “There is nothing of interest there.” She said, hoping to draw him away from that subject. Glorfindel shook his head, “You lie. If you do not want me to know, that is fine. Just say so.”

Lathwen shook her head and sighed in consent, “Lily and I hail from the same place. Though there may be strife, there is also beauty.” Lathwen frowned, “Of course, I wasn’t allowed to see much of it because of my uncle. I will never go back there. Not again.” She ended fiercely.

Glorfindel frowned at Lathwen’s vehement expression. “How can it possibly be that bad?” Lathwen gave him a withering look, “Where we come from Lord Glorfindel…there is evil elves do not think is possible. Children are whipped, raped, beaten, punished for the drop of a hat. There is mercy in some perhaps…but not in the uncle I knew.”

Glorfindel was frowning still, “And what did your uncle do to you?” Lathwen lashed out heatedly, “It is none of your concern Lord Glorfindel!” She scowled but gently laid Tirion in his basket. “I’m going to the river girls!” She called and stalked out of the cave, bringing her weapons with her.