At the Mercy of a Burning Coal

Disclaimer; I DON’T OWN ANYTHING!
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Lathwen swallowed and wrung her hands till they were red. She smashed her head against the wooden door for the fifteen hundredth time that evening. “Calm down Old Bess…nothing’s going to happen.” Lily said soothingly.

Lathwen turned to her friend in despair, “You don’t know that! I’m absolutely sure he’s found out!”

Nestariel rolled her eyes and sighed at her leader’s dramatics. They were in Lathwen’s quarters, and she had explained to them excitedly what Lord Elrond and Eothain had told her about her parents. Then she sobered and whispered the last part about how she had snuck into Ridhion’s chambers and found out the murderer.

Needless to say, the girls were shocked, and demanded proof. Lathwen held up the diary and opened it to the first page. Edhelwen frowned, “Well then…who’s the murderer? The curse caster? The one who made your life so miserable?”

Lathwen had told them, with a grave voice. Nestariel moaned, and rubbed her temples, “Wait, but I thought it was…”

“So did I,” Lathwen said, “But when I read more of my mother’s diary, I found out that it wasn’t him at all.” Edhelwen laughed hysterically, “So all this time we’ve been conversing with a murderer who wants to slay you still Lathwen!”

Lily blinked and murmured, “We even let him into our home in Tanglewood…Valar, I don’t know how you survived Lathwen! He would have surely killed you given the chance! You know to much.”

Lathwen sighed, “Which is why I’m worried about tonight. If he was able to cast the curse in public, he will be able to curse or kill me or any one of you again!”

“Nothing’s going to happen.” Nestariel told her in a firm voice. “What if it does?” Lathwen asked disparagingly. “I’d be responsible if one of you died! Or Glorfindel, or Nestaron, or one of the Imladris elves!”

Edhelwen said slowly, “We should form a plan…” Lily groaned, “Not again Ellie! You said that we wouldn’t have to after the little…escapade…with Glorfindel’s men! No more plans!”

“Do you want anyone to die?”
“No…”
“Then listen! We’ll bring our weapons to the banquet…Nestariel and I will be able to hide them underneath the cloaks we’re going to wear, but you and Lathwen should be able to hide your arrows and bow underneath a table…the one with the punch and wine.”

Lathwen blinked, “You’ve been thinking about this for a while now, haven’t you?” Edhelwen shrugged and grinned, “I make up plans just in case…this just happened to be one of them that I haven’t used yet.”

Lily sighed, “I hope it works…and just to be safe Lathwen…we’ll keep a dagger with us.” Lathwen nodded in obvious relief, but then said, “But what about the others? They’ll be in danger to! An arrow’s flight could go astray and a dagger could slip!”

Lily soothed her friend, “It will be fine…we’ll go warn a precious few of Glorfindel’s men. Okay?” Lathwen nodded weakly and walked over to her wardrobe. She flung it open and said to the others; “We’ll get ready and meet in the hall outside of my room…weapons and all.”

The others had hastily agreed.

***
Lathwen banged her head against her wooden door once more, and looked up in time to see Edhelwen walking hurriedly down the halls, a wary expression on her face.

She was wearing a soft sea foam green gown, which pooled about her feet. Nestariel was wearing dark purple with a gold trim. Lily wore a dark blue, which had silver lace around the hem and sleeves and a bit peeped out of the neckline. Lathwen herself was wearing a slim white dress with green ribbon lacing the hem, sleeves, and neckline.

Nestariel was wearing a graceful cloak that matched her attire and behind it were her hidden sword. Edhelwen also was wearing a white cloak, her sword not visible. Lily and Lathwen however, had their bows at their feet, their dresses hiding them from view.

Edhelwen smiled nervously, “Are we ready?” Lathwen nodded and took in a deep breath. “Ready.”

Together, the Outlaw Maiden’s walked in, pasting on false smiles…well, most of them anyway. Lathwen looked grave, but her eyes twinkled as she looked at all of the food, colors, dancing, and singing going on. “Beautiful!” Lily breathed beside her.

Lathwen grinned and nudged Lily when they stopped near a table with wine placed on it. Nestariel looked back at them to grin and engaged the people there in conversation, giving Lathwen and Lily time to discreetly place their weapons underneath the table. The white tablecloth was thankfully very long and would hide whatever was under there. Which was why Lily and Lathwen didn’t see a hulking shape cowering underneath.

“Lathwen!” A voice called out, causing everyone around them to turn. Lathwen grinned when she saw Beinion and Glorfindel both coming her way. Beinion smiled gently at Edhelwen and clasped her hand in his.

His smile was soon replaced by a somber expression and he asked in a whisper, “Is it true? What Lily said.” Lathwen nodded tiredly, “Its true. I hope your men are on their guard…I’d feel so horrible if something happened to them.”

Beinion nodded seriously, “Don’t worry. We’re all on the lookout.” Lathwen shuddered at those words.

***
The night wore on, and the banquet was nearing its end. Glorfindel had managed to keep Lathwen going for three dances before she sat down. Lily soon joined her and they chatted about random things, murderers and curses far away.

Glorfindel tired of that talk, and muttered something about going over to speak with Nestaron. Lathwen nodded absentmindedly and kept talking with Lily, both laughing and smiling while they drank their wine.

A sudden silence caused Lathwen and Lily to look up. Glorfindel was in the middle of the empty dance floor, looking furious…Lily later swore that she could see deadly laser beams melting the floor.

Lathwen gasped, “GLORFINDEL!” She sprang from her seat and succeeded in running to the edge of the dance floor when someone held her back. Ridhion laughed into Lathwen’s ear, “We’ll be having none of that Miss Lathwen.”

Maetherion tightened his grip on Glorfindel and gave Lathwen a wicked smile. “See this knife I’m holding Lathwen?” Lathwen nodded coldly, trembling slightly.

“Make one wrong move and you’ll be digging his grave. In fact,” Maetherion addressed everyone there, “Anyone move and he’ll die. Understand?”

“This is not necessary.” Lathwen said icily, “You want me, not him.” Maetherion gave her a wild grin, “How else could I keep you from running away?”

Lathwen’s eyes flickered through the crowd and they locked with Nestaron’s. He nodded and melted away in the mob.

Lathwen hastily thought…she needed to keep him talking. “Nonsense,” She said, “It would have been much easier to get one of my girls…no offense ladies.”

Maetherion grinned wildly, a deranged look lighting his face, “Ah…you think we cannot see the swords hidden underneath then?” Lathwen swallowed, “We?” Maetherion grinned, “Yes…we.”

As if on cue, two more strange elves of Imladris came forward, bows ready and arrows pointed at Lathwen. The leader of the Outlaw Maiden’s smiled slowly, and then started to laugh.

Lord Elrond though, wasn’t amused. His eyes were dangerous pinpoints of light, his face in a scowl of anger and disgust.

Ridhion tightened his grip on her arms, cutting off key points of circulation. “That’s good.” Lathwen said in an amused tone, “That’s really good. I’ve been needing a couple of laughs ever since that escapade on Imladris’s borders.”

“I’m glad it amuses you that your death is so near,” Maetherion chirped happily. Lathwen rolled her eyes, “Sure. But before I die, may I be permitted one question?” Maetherion raised and eyebrow and Lathwen grinned.

“Did your parents drop you on the head when you were born? Because I mean…how else would you have become such a deranged idiot if not from being dropped on the head? But I suppose they couldn’t help being surprised at the hideous face they saw before them…did they die of shame?”

If there’s one thing that would insult an elf more than you laughing at his lineage, it was insulting his appearance, which they obviously prize highly. Maetherion let out a roar that was more animal than human. “KILL HER!”

Lathwen stiffened and turned her head toward the archers. “Say goodbye.” Ridhion whispered into her ear. Lathwen watched as two shadowy figures crept up behind the archers and knocked them out with the hilt of their swords. The archers let out a groan and slumped to the floor, revealing Edhelwen and Nestariel.

Nestariel flounced away back into the crowd, who was babbling excitedly. Edhelwen spit on the archers before following Nestariel. Lathwen thought desperately…she had no idea where they were going.

Lathwen kicked backwards and heard Ridhion curse as her foot connected with an area that men consider vital. “Goodbye!” She said brightly.

Suddenly she froze, remembering Glorfindel. Maetherion wouldn’t hesitate to carry out his threat. She slowly looked towards him, and saw that Nestariel had engaged Maetherion in a swordfight while Nestaron was crouched on the floor, guarding Glorfindel who was somehow unconscious.

Lathwen swore loudly, drawing cries of shock from the ladies of Imladris and laughs from the men. Why did she react thus? One archer and one swordsman pushed out of the crowd and rushed toward Lathwen.

“HEY LILY! TOSS IT!” Lathwen shouted across the room. Lily was positioned at the table and had gotten Lathwen’s bow and quiver out. Suddenly, Lily screamed in agony as a hand came out from underneath the table and stabbed her calf. (Why is it that she’s always the one who gets hurt?)

“NEVER MIND! HANG ON LILY!” Lathwen screamed in a panic. She turned and saw the swordsman rushing for her. Lathwen pulled the dagger from inside her sleeve and ran at him. She ducked his blade, feeling the air whoosh as it passed through the air.

She whirled around quickly and slashed the dagger down, leaving a foot long gash in the elf’s sword arm. The elf gasped in pain and dropped his sword, which Lathwen immediately picked up. “Thanks…stay here will you? I’ll deal with you later.”

She lifted her skirts and ran at the crowd, sword wielded. The crowd parted, letting her through to the wine table where the man had knocked out Lily and was attempting to drag her away. Yes, it was a man this time…not an elf.

Lathwen let loose a whoop and before the man could turn around, she hit the back of his head with the sword hilt. He let out a groan and fell to the floor, dropping Lily who was pale and unconscious still. Lathwen let out a sigh of relief and pushed strands of hair out of her face.

She pointed to one of the archers she had seen practicing in the ranges before. “You…watch over Lily. Whack the man over the head again if he wakes.” The archer grinned, “Anything for the Outlaw Queen.” Lathwen rolled her eyes but smiled her thanks.

She hefted the sword in two hands and ran through the crowd again. She paused and examined the situation.

Nestaron was up, and now fighting with the archer, whose bow lay broken on the floor. Nestariel was nursing an injured…finger? Yes, her middle finger was bleeding and at an odd angle. Edhelwen had taken over the fight with Maetherion, who looked mad…absolutely frightening.

Glorfindel…Lathwen looked around and her eyes widened in surprise as she saw that he was charging toward her. Glorfindel was motioning to her side, saying something she couldn’t hear above the crowds panic and shouting.

Lathwen looked to her right and saw in horror that an archer was aiming for her. He let the arrow go the second she turned to face him. Lathwen watched the arrow fly toward her, heart beating erratically.

But it never hit her. Something smashed into her side, knocking her down. The sword left her hand and skidded across the floor. Lathwen looked up, panting, and saw Glorfindel on the floor next to her.

“Where in Mordor are they coming from?!” Lathwen asked. Glorfindel shrugged and answered, “That’s the last of them…they were all hiding before.” Lathwen cursed and scrambled after her sword as the archer notched another arrow on his bowstring.

Lathwen saw Nestariel running behind the archer out of the corner of her eye. A pain in her shoulder made her gasp, but she pushed it aside and watched in satisfaction as Nestariel knocked the archer out.

Wincing at the ache in her shoulder, Lathwen rushed over to Edhelwen, whose face was drawn and pale. She was tiring, but Maetherion was as strong as ever.

As Maetherion disarmed Edhelwen, Lathwen rushed to her friend’s side and brought her sword up to block Maetherion’s would be killing blow. Maetherion’s dark eyes narrowed and he grinned ferociously, his teeth pointed like a tigers.

“Ah Lathwen…I’ve been wondering about your talent with swords. Your bow is notorious, but I haven’t heard about your skill with a blade. I’m honored to be the one to judge it myself.”

Lathwen raised and eyebrow as Maetherion backed away from Lathwen. “Sorry elfie…but I don’t think backing away is gonna do much good. You don’t have a good vantage point from which you can judge.”

She followed Maetherion as Edhelwen walked over to Nestariel who was guarding Lily’s vulnerable body on the side of the empty dance floor. Glorfindel and Nestaron were busy dragging the unconscious archers and such over to the side where they tied them up and gagged them. Ridhion was the only one conscious among them…the evil, pathetic, slime.

Lathwen focused only on her enemy…the one who had killed her parents, and almost killed her.

“So,” Lathwen began as if they were having a civilized polite chat about the weather. “Why do you want to kill me? You murdered my parents already.” Maetherion grinned evilly, “For several reasons.”

“Oh?”

Lathwen thrust toward him, but he easily blocked it. They prowled in a circle around each other, eyes never leaving their enemy’s weapon.

“Firstly, it would be a further punishment for your parents. Their little girl…dead. Lovely picture don’t you think?” Maetherion dove at her with an overhand cut. Lathwen stepped to the side and he stumbled past her, “Delightful.” She said dryly.

He whirled to block her attack. He continued, “Secondly…it rids me and my fellows of all the people who know.” Lathwen laughed, “Maetherion…there are other people who know…and it doesn’t look like your fellows are doing to well right now.”

Maetherion ignored her and blocked her backhand side, jumping a bit to avoid it. Lathwen gave him a smile, “A bit frightened now, are we? But please, go on with your little tirade.”

Maetherion gave a mock bow, “As you wish my lady. Revenge…bloodlust actually, I admit it. Your parents were foes of my family long before you were born…payback is in order.”

Lathwen was unconvinced, “That was it? Only three pathetic reasons?”
“Only reasonable in the eyes of a killer.”
“Oh, so *now* we’re owning up to the crime? Well you’re a damn half decade to late!”

Lathwen growled and lunged at him, engaging him in a brutal swordfight. Parry, thrust, thrust, backhand side, overhand cut, parry, overhand cut, block…

Lathwen was attuned only to the savage elf in front of her. Maetherion. Warrior. The very name made her shudder with disgust. What warrior would cowardly curse someone and not own up to it? A crazy, idiotic, imbecile of a warrior is what.

She wondered how Glorfindel was feeling…having a friend betray him. A best friend to, the worst possible kind of betrayal. It wasn’t that hard to guess actually; sorrow, anger, hurt, and confusion…most likely many more emotions, but at least Nestaron was there. Ridhion, the scum of the earth sure hadn’t been any help at all. Lathwen silently hoped that her girls would help Glorfindel to...he’d need it.

Maetherion growled and made a half-hearted attempt to attack Lathwen with a thrust. She could see he was tiring…he should be after battling with two others. Lathwen’s arms were burning, but she didn’t let go of her sword or forfeit. She would avenge her parents. She would avenge their years of suffering…and hers.

Lathwen felt a burst of energy as her fury gave her the power. It rushed through her in waves, and she picked up the pace to a speed that only elves could possess. Maetherion stood there in shock and puzzlement for a moment.

That moment gave Lathwen her chance. She swiftly disarmed Maetherion, his sword flying through the air to land near Nestaron’s feet. Maetherion’s eyes darted around, looking for a way to escape. He held up his hands and started to back away, but the males in the crowd blocked his way.

Lathwen grinned as he fell over someone’s foot and landed on his back. She placed the sword tip at his neck, “You murdered my parents…no doubt others. You made me and my family suffer for years. You’ve been trying to kill me and harm those close to me for a while now. I ought to kill you…you deserve no less.”

There was an intake of breath, which was audible throughout the room. “But you’re lucky I’m a merciful person…” Lathwen knelt beside him and slammed the hilt of her sword into his head.

Maetherion was unconscious instantly. She had hit him hard enough so that there would be a massive headache bothering him for a couple of days.

Lathwen dropped the sword, wiping away the tears that had been running down her face. She didn’t know that she had been crying.

Wearily, she made her was across the dance floor and put a hand on Edhelwen’s shoulder. “Are you all right?” She asked. Edhelwen nodded, “Nothing a little sleep won’t cure.” Lathwen moved on to Nestariel. “Your finger…”
“It was broken…but Nestaron healed it…he also made Lily wake up!”

Lathwen looked down in surprise and saw that Lily was resting there, her complexion ashen. She opened her eyes and said, “The bloomin’ idiot knocked me out! Where is he? You’ll allow me to kill him, right Old Bess?” Lathwen sighed with a smile, same old Lily.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” Lily sighed and muttered something about being satisfied with mauling sackcloth dummies.

Lathwen went over to Nestaron and asked, “Are you hurt?” Nestaron shook his head with a grim smile. “I’m fine.” Lathwen smiled at him, “I’ll never be able to tell you how much I’m thankful that you helped my girls…protected them. I’ll forever be in your debt.”

Surprising everyone in the room, Lathwen flung her arms around the March Warden’s neck and hugged him. “Thank you.”

Nestaron smiled at Lathwen, “It’s fine. I enjoy the many verbal battles your girls have waged against me.” Lathwen grinned and moved to stand in front of Glorfindel.

Glorfindel.

Poor thing…his head was hanging as he looked at the floor. She thought she saw tears sparkling in his eyes as he looked up, but they were soon gone. Lathwen looked at him in pity.

“Glorfindel,” She said softly so that only he could hear. “I’m truly sorry for your loss. I know what it feels like to be betrayed…it will take a while to heal, but heal it does.”

“Thank you.” Glorfindel whispered.

Lathwen reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, “You’ve saved my life many times…and the lives of my girls for which I can never fully repay you. You’ve been so patient and kind to us when we were nothing but trouble. You trusted us…which is more than many can say, I know.”

Lathwen grinned wryly, “I’m very glad I met you Glorfindel. You’re a good companion and friend. Thank you.” She stood on tiptoe and hugged him like she had Nestaron. The gasps were audible as the elves watched in shock. No one touches the warrior of Gondolin!

Hesitantly at first, Glorfindel hugged her back. “Thank you for understanding.” Glorfindel whispered in her ear. Lathwen smiled and she broke contact with him.

The leader of the Outlaw Maiden’s turned to face the gathering and announced, “It is finished.”