At the Mercy of a Burning Coal

Disclaimer; The usual one applies.
Note: And all shall be revealed…

Erestor would know where it was. He knew the whole library and all of the other records like the back of his hand. He could help her.

Lathwen practically ran through the halls the next morning in her eagerness to find her mother’s diary, in which was written many clues. Many vital things that no doubt people would kill for. She was wearing her tunic and leggings…not a dress, because she had anticipated the hard work it would be to find such a secret thing.

Lathwen burst into the library and careened down the rows of shelves and finally skidded to a halt at Erestor’s desk in the front of the library. Erestor raised his eyebrows at the panting half elf in front of him. He put down his book and folded his hands. “Can I help you?”

The leader of the Outlaw Maidens rolled her eyes at his teasing sarcastic tone and nodded. “Yes. I need you to find my mother’s diary.” Erestor’s eyebrows rocketed to his hairline, “Diary?! Lathwen, you have no idea how hard it will be to find such a thing! She’d most likely have hidden it in Bree.”

Lathwen shook her head, “No, no! I would have seen her write in it if that were so. I remember my mother writing in it when I was a child. Since she couldn’t possibly have left it in Edoras for fear of being discovered, and she didn’t bring it to Bree…she must have hidden it in her homeland!”

Erestor blinked, “Fear of being discovered? Do you mean the treason she swore not to tell was discovered?” Lathwen nodded emphatically and said, “Since you know ever book that’s ever been on these shelves I thought you could help me.”
“Lathwen, there are thousands of books here.”
“I realize that. But this one was different. It was small…pocket size I should think, and it was leather bound.”

Erestor sighed in a weary way and ran his hand through his raven hair. He fixed his piercing gaze on Lathwen for a moment and said, “There are only three such books I know of. One of them was borrowed by one of the Lorien elves.”

Lathwen motioned impatiently, “Well?! Where are they?” Erestor glanced at her before taking one off of the desk and handing it to Lathwen who eagerly rifled through the pages.

To her disappointment there were only herbal curse written in it…nothing more. Lathwen shook her head and placed it back on the desk. Erestor motioned to her, “Follow me.” He said simply, and walked off.

Lathwen swiftly followed, finding it hard to keep up with the swift step of the advisor. Erestor led her down many rows of books and shelves, past many doorways until she was dizzy with the enormity of it all.

Finally, Erestor stopped at one of the lesser-known rows of books and walked down the row, muttering to himself. His finger trailed along the binding of the books until he stopped at one in particular. With a triumphant cry, he drew the book from the shelf with a smile and handed it proudly to Lathwen.

Again, Lathwen examined the book. A field guide. Lathwen sighed in disappointment, “No.” She said softly and placed the book gently back in its proper place. Erestor’s face fell and he said, “I am sorry I could not help Lathwen.” He silently turned away but Lathwen’s voice stopped him.

“Wait! What Lorien elf borrowed that other book?”
“I do not know. You should ask my assistant, Arenion. He’ll be at my desk waiting to complain about something if I am correct.”
“I will! Thank you so much Erestor!”

Lathwen sped off before Erestor could get a word in. Her speed made a small wind, which blew pieces of stray hair from Erestor’s braid. He blinked and shook his head, a smile of amusement on his lips.

***
Waiting impatiently at Erestor’s desk was a particularly young elf. He had dark features, but surprisingly light green eyes. He looked up instantly as Lathwen barreled over to him. His confusion was clear, but Lathwen said quickly, “Pardon me Arenion…but do you recall the name of the Lorien elf who recently borrowed a small leather bound book?”

Arenion frowned, “Indeed. Ridhion I believe. And you are…?”
“Lathwen. Lathwen Alanessa. Thank you ever so Arenion!”

Lathwen pounded toward the doors to the library, her footsteps echoing her very thoughts.

*Traitor* *Traitor* *Traitor*

Oh Valar, it couldn’t be Ridhion! She refused to believe it…

*Traitor* *Traitor* *Traitor*

No! Glorfindel trusted him! Wildfire and Rosethorn trusted him! *She* trusted him! No! He couldn’t be a murderer…not Ridhion…

*Traitor*

It can’t be!

*Traitor*

NO!

Lathwen’s forehead was damp with sweat. No. Not Ridhion! Valar, please! Her heart beat faster than a hummingbird beat its wings. But Ridhion was her friend! Glorfindel trusted him!

But do you trust Glorfindel?

Of course! Well…

*Traitor*

Oh blast my foolish act! Of course I trust him! I care about his welfare and safety and….oh gods. Oh Valar. What in Arda has come over me?! He does not feel for me, nor I him!

Liar.

Shut up! Stupid conscience…

*Traitor* *Murderer* *Traitor*

Lathwen careened down the halls, tears streaming down her cheeks unchecked. She ricocheted off of the walls and the elves that occupied them in her frantic eagerness to get to Ridhion’s rooms.

She had one more hallway to go before she confronted the treacherous traitor and strangled him with her bare hands. Conscious now of her disheveled appearance; Lathwen halted her flow of tears and smoothed her hair after shaking the wrinkles out of her dress.

She turned the corner and who did she bump into but Ridhion. She had to struggle to keep from glaring at him with her fury and hatred. Funny…for a murderer he looked cheerful…and concerned. But appearances are deceiving…

“Are you all right Lathwen? I’m so sorry! I did not mean to…” He said as he offered her a hand up. She sprang to her feet without his help.

“As divisive as always I see.” He said with a grin. Lathwen grinned back, but the grin didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sorry Ridhion…I’m off to visit a friend…I can’t chat now.”

The male elf bowed elaborately to her and said, “Then I shall not keep you my lady.” Lathwen laughed and smiled at him, saying one last goodbye before rounding the corner completely.

She lost her smile instantly. Good…the traitor was out of his rooms. That meant she could go in.

Lathwen walked down the hall before coming to Ridhion’s rooms. His door was slightly ajar…but nevertheless Lathwen looked up and down the corridors before entering. She slipped through the opening fluidly so that the door didn’t creak.

Lathwen stood still for a moment, straining her ears to hear any sound of movement. She heard nothing but her heart beating loudly like a drum. She swiftly walked across the room and began her search.

She quickly opened the drawers to his desk and found nothing. She looked under his pillow, under the bed, in his wardrobe, and in any other drawer she could find…and yet, found nothing.

Scanning the shelves in Ridhion’s room, Lathwen calmed herself.

/Okay now girl…if you were Ridhion what would you do with the diary?/
/Hide it. Disguise it./

Disguise it! That was it! It was disguised as some other book! Lathwen eagerly scanned his shelves once more and her eyes triumphantly came to rest on a small book at the end of the row. She plucked it from the shelf and pulled at the cover. She gasped when it fell off to reveal its leather binding.

Trembling, Lathwen opened it up and caught sight of her mother’s familiar smooth, even writing. Tears pricked her eyes once more, but not tears of anger…tears of remembrance. Tears of relief.

Lathwen dashed them away impatiently, remembering what danger she would be in if caught in Ridhion’s quarters. Gracefully, Lathwen hurried across Ridhion’s room and slipped out of his door again.

Heart still pounding, she set out at a fast pace down the corridor, squeezing the small book between her hands, trying to hide it from sight at the same time as ensuring that no one could take it.

Lathwen broke into a run as she heard a shout come from the hall behind her. Afraid someone had discovered her, she ran faster, panting and eyes wide. She ran to Lord Elrond’s study, and silently thanked the Valar that his door was partly open.

Impetuously, without knocking, she burst in and said, “Lord Elrond! I think I know—” She stopped short at the sight before her.

Ridhion was standing in front of Lord Elrond’s desk where the lord sat. Both elves stared at her in amusement and shock. Lathwen grew pale and she trembled violently upon seeing Ridhion.

Ridhion’s eyes narrowed suspiciously as he saw the almost hidden object in her grasp. Lathwen swallowed and took a step back. She said in a small voice, “I’m sorry my lords…perhaps now is a bad time…I will return later…”

“No Lathwen, its fine.” Ridhion said hurriedly. Was that a note of panic she heard in his voice? “I had just finished. Thank you my lord.” Bowing to Lord Elrond and then to Lathwen, Ridhion walked quickly from the room.

Elrond raised his eyebrows at Lathwen, “What is it that is so important that you had to rudely interrupt Ridhion’s business with me?” Lathwen blushed and said, “My Lord…I know who killed my parents.”