At the Mercy of a Burning Coal

Disclaimer; I don’t own so you can’t sue me! Nah nah nah nah nah!
Note: My apologies for not posting sooner! But hey, look on the bright side…I HAVE THE NEXT CHAPTER ALMOST DONE FOR YOU PEOPLES!

“It is finished.”

Almost instantly Lathwen collapsed and fell into a faint.

***
Lathwen winced as a bright light danced in front of her eyes after she opened them. She found that she couldn’t raise her left arm, and the rest of her body ached as if the dwarves of Moria had been called in and beaten her all over with their hammers.

“Stay still Bessie…” A voice said. Nestariel. Lathwen looked around and saw that her girls, Glorfindel, Beinion, and Nestaron were in a healing ward watching her. Lathwen blinked, “What happened?”

“You fainted. Glorfindel picked you up and carried you here. You slept for nearly a day Old Bess! It’s afternoon now.” Lily answered cheerily. Lathwen frowned, “Why did I faint?”

“Loss of blood.” Nestaron answered.
“Eh?”
“A stray arrow grazed your shoulder.”

Lathwen’s face darkened, “What happened to the murderer’s?” Everyone exchanged gleeful looks.

“They were given a life sentence in the prisons…Lord Elrond was furious! Now I know how he survived the battle with Gil-Galad…he’s positively frightening when angry. Surely no orc or goblin would stand a chance against him.” Lily answered.

Lathwen yawned so loudly that her jaw cracked. She rubbed her eyes and watched the others as a confusing exchange took place.

Edhelwen poked Lily’s side. Lathwen gave her a bemused look, but Edhelwen refused to meet her eyes. Lily glared at Edhelwen while rubbing her ribs but said, “Eh! Nestaron…Nestariel…I still have a tie to break! Let’s get back to our game and leave Lathwen in peace.”

Beinion sighed as the others trooped out of the healing ward and he laced his fingers with Edhelwen’s. “Well m’love…what do you say? Shall we go?” Edhelwen nodded and said to Lathwen, “Hope you can get out of bed soon Bessie…otherwise you’ll be as ill-tempered as dwarf without his axe!” Lathwen gave a bark of laughter as they too, took their exit.

Lathwen looked at Glorfindel, the only one left in the room. She smiled wanly, “Once again thank you for saving my life Glorfindel.” The aged warrior smiled slightly, his piercing blue eyes never leaving her stormy grey ones. “I see your habit has died…”

Lathwen grinned, knowing he was talking about the ‘my lord’ title she had used many a time before. Glorfindel sighed and sat down on a chair that was positioned next to Lathwen’s bed. She glanced at him suspiciously.

“It was my pleasure to save your life. Such a friend deserves that. But really, I should be thanking *you* Lathwen.”

Lathwen looked at him curiously, “Why? I did nothing.” Glorfindel gave her what could only be described as ‘a look’. “You did more than you’ll ever know Lathwen Alanessa.” Lathwen snorted.

“You do not believe me? Well then…let me prove you wrong.”

Lathwen smiled…this could get interesting.

Glorfindel sighed and began, “I was lonely here. I had lost my love, and my will to live it seemed. I wondered why I did not fade…but I soon found that the Valar had other plans.” He smiled wryly and Lathwen had to chuckle at his expression.

“I felt empty except for the raging emotions that you could clearly sense. Anger, hurt, guilt, and despair…they were slowly killing me. And I knew it. I knew I would die if I stayed here…I would have died even if I had sailed because these emotions still would have plagued me.”

He flinched slightly at some memory, and stared off into the distance. Lathwen waited patiently, an odd expression on her face.

Glorfindel roused himself and continued, “At first I denied such a thing would happen…then I ignored it. Because you told me exactly what you saw and what, no doubt, others could see, I began to think about my dying, fading. Did I truly want to die? No. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that it wasn’t my fault, any of it. So the feelings slowly ebbed away.”

“However, I was still lonely. I yearned for contact with someone, anyone who could see past my rank and my history.”

Lathwen said, “But you have Nestaron and Beinion…you have many friends.” Glorfindel shook his head, “No, no…you misunderstand me.”

“They are my friends, and I have many of them like you said. I am truly blessed. But what I meant was that I wished for someone who would act normal around me.”
“They do.”
“No…let me explain Lathwen.”

Glorfindel said, “Though the others are my friends, they do not shake my hand or give me a pat on the back. No one does that except Beinion…and you.” Glorfindel reached out and clasped Lathwen’s hand in his own. “You act as if I am normal…not a warrior or a soldier. You treat me as if I weren’t unusual. You do not cower in my presence, nor flee from the room when I enter.”

Lathwen blinked and Glorfindel went on, “I am grateful for that…I feel normal around you. I like that. Do—”

Lathwen made the mistake of looking to the side toward the wall. A mirror was next to the window. Lathwen opened her mouth and gave a shriek.

“AAAAAAAAHHH! DEAR VALAR!”

Glorfindel sprang up, “What is it? Is something wrong? Are you in pain?” Lathwen covered her mouth with her free hand and shook her head, still staring at the mirror.

He released her hand and sat down beside her. Urgently he spun her around to face him. “What is it?!”

Lathwen uncovered her mouth and said, “My ears! They’re pointed! THEY’RE POINTED!” Glorfindel sighed and an amused look replaced that of concern. “And?”

“And? AND?! How can you say that?! My ears are POINTED! Like an elf’s!”
“They’ve been like that for a while Lathwen. Everyone has noticed it besides you.”

Lathwen reached up and tentatively touched the tips of her ears. Wordlessly she tugged at them, as if suspicious they would come off.

Glorfindel rolled his eyes. He swept back his blonde hair, baring his own ears. “Lathwen…your ears are like ours now. Mine won’t come off…yours won’t come off…no elf’s will come off.”

Still in shock, Lathwen reached out and touched the tips of Glorfindel’s left ear. The warrior gasped and recoiled, turning pink. Lathwen gave him a strange look but thought nothing of it.

Quickly, she pushed back the covers and leapt out of bed. She smoothed her dress out, and noticed that she had been changed, her soiled dress removed, and a simple blue one was placed in its stead. Lathwen ran over to the healing ward’s door and yanked it open. Swiftly she ran down the halls toward the library, ignoring Glorfindel’s calls to stop.

***
The trip seemed to go quick fast, for she was there and opening the heavy doors in a flash.

Hurriedly, she careened down the rows of books and came to a halt at Erestor’s desk, panting. Erestor raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Lathwen! Out of the healing ward I see.”

Lathwen said in one single breath, “Erestor! I have pointed ears! Like an elf!” She gasped for another breath and went on, “I looked in the mirror and my ears were changed and Glorfindel said that they’d been that way for a while but I didn’t believe him so I tried to pull the points off but they didn’t come off and neither did Glorfindel’s, so I—”

Erestor looked astounded, “You touched the tips of his ears?!” Lathwen gave him a funny look, “Er…yes? What’s wrong? Did I hurt him?” Erestor’s jaw was currently on the floor, so after he had picked it back up he said, “Er…Lathwen, you…I…do you know elven etiquette?”

Lathwen shrugged, “Somewhat. I mean…yes, I think so.” Erestor took a deep breath and said rather haltingly, “Er…yes, well. Lathwen…no other elf or being is allowed to touch an elf’s ears you see…er…they are a pleasure point, and only those bonded with the elf are allowed to touch them. It’s normally taken as a great offense if you do…”

Lathwen blushed such a bright scarlet that she could have been a beacon for lost ships at sea. “Oh…no.” Is all she said.

Erestor smiled amusedly at her horrified tone. “It’s all right Lathwen…Glorfindel will forgive you.” Lathwen gave him a mortified look and tried to say something but the library doors opened and Glorfindel called out, “Lathwen?”

“Hide me!” Lathwen said frantically. Erestor shook his head and chuckled, calling out, “She’s here Glorfindel!” Lathwen glared at him fiercely and whispered harshly, “You’re infuriating!” Erestor grinned at her but did nothing.

Lathwen gave him one last pleading look. Erestor shook his head firmly. Sighing in exasperation, Lathwen looked around frantically for a place to hide. She sped off towards the section of books where Erestor had shown her the second small leather book when they were looking for her mother’s diary.

She crouched behind one of the tall, wide shelves and listened to the conversation.

“…hiding because of the incident involving your ears.”
“Ah. I see. Where is she now?”
“She went that way.”
“Show me…I don’t know this place as well as you do.”

Lathwen bit her lip and silently vowed that she would have to employ Edhelwen to help her with payback. A certain basket of peaches had Erestor’s name written all over it.

She strained her elven hearing for signs of the approaching elf lord’s. They were coming from her right. Quickly, Lathwen darted to her left and barreled right into another shelf of books. “OUCH!” She shouted.

Rubbing her forehead, she walked quickly out of the library and into the orchards, certain no one would follow.

***
Lathwen sighed and stretched. She was sitting in the tree by the lake where Beinion had pushed Glorfindel in. Actually, she wasn’t hiding from Glorfindel because of the incident….Edhelwen had informed her that another game was planned, and this time Glorfindel and Erestor were pummeled with the peaches. Beinion had just joined in because it was fun. And admittedly, it was.

It became even more fun when *all* of the Outlaw Maidens had joined in…and Nestaron, the stiff March Warden had even joined after much coaxing from Glorfindel and Beinion.

Of course, Lathwen hadn’t spoken to or seen up close Glorfindel and Erestor ever since the library. It was one o’ clock, and she had been waiting in the tree for three minutes and counting. Needless to say, she was beginning to get bored.

“Pssst! Bessie! Let us come up!” Nestariel hissed from below. Lathwen moved over onto another branch, giggling as Nestariel, Lily, and Edhelwen climbed up in single file.

“It’ll be much harder for them to find us now.” Lily said in a whisper, “There are so many other places to look and the leaves and branches keep us well hidden.”

Edhelwen laughed and said, “Isn’t this fun? We should make this an official time of day…one o’ clock…‘the game’.”

Wolf-whistles came from below and the girls laughed…they had been caught. “Pretty little robin sitting in a tree, pretty little robin come down to me!” Beinion sang up to Edhelwen who grinned. It was part of a nursery rhyme older than the hills.

Nestaron grinned up at Lily and wiggled his eyebrows. Lily smirked and jumped down. “AHA! Caught—” Nestaron shouted but stopped as Lily sped away giggling. “You.” He finished. Then he to ran after her, shouting complete nonsense, which made Lathwen and Nestariel go into peals of laughter.

Nestariel looked at Lathwen at the same time Lathwen looked at her, “Hmm…looks like we’re caught Nestariel. Whatever shall we do?”
“Hmm…RUN!”

The two elven maidens jumped down from the tree and tried to run. ‘Tried’ being the key words. Nestariel ran away successfully, but Erestor was gaining on her, and Lathwen had no such luck. After she straightened up from her jump, she was tackled to the ground. Gently though, not like other times.

Lathwen looked at Glorfindel balefully. He just grinned back as he made sure she wouldn’t get away. He knelt beside her and pinned her arms above her head. She squirmed and twisted, trying to get loose. Stupid elf and his stupid strength…

Glorfindel looked at her, “You didn’t let me finish before you discovered your pointed ears.” Lathwen blushed from the memory of before. “I’m sorry…I didn’t know…”

Glorfindel smirked, “Fine…fine. Now let me ask you a question.” Lathwen glared at him distrustfully. Glorfindel gave her a playful smile, “Are you afraid of me?” Lathwen blinked then started laughing. “Me? Afraid of *you*?”

Glorfindel pretended to sulk, “You wound me my lady.” Lathwen rolled her eyes, “You’re nothing but a big softy.” Glorfindel gave her a serious look, “Then don’t run from me again Lathwen. Don’t ever run from me.”

Something in his tone made Lathwen pay attention. He went on, “Lathwen…because of you I was able to realize that it wasn’t my fault. I think you’ll be proud of me.”

“Why?” Lathwen asked.

Glorfindel leaned down, his silky golden hair tickling her face. She could feel his warm breath on his ear as he said, “I choose to live.” Lathwen grinned wildly.

“Good! What would Antien and Tirion do without you?”
“Lathwen…”
“Or your men or Imladris or Lorien?”
“Lathwen!”
“Or those who looked up to you, or—”
“LATHWEN!”

Lathwen blinked. “What?” Glorfindel scanned her face and asked softly, “What about you? What would *you* do without me?” Lathwen grinned, “Be terribly bored.”

“You know that wasn’t the answer I was looking for.”
“I know. It’s fun to give you a hard time.”
“I’m not enjoying it.”
“Why not?”

Glorfindel sighed and let go of her hands, raking them through his hair. Lathwen took advantage of the situation and stood up, brushing herself off. Glorfindel stayed kneeling, looking up at her.

“You know why.”
“No…honestly I don’t.”
“Well then…let me explain.

“Its because the woman I love is standing before me and will not let me express or show my love for her in any way…because after what I’ve told her she still doesn’t believe me…”

Lathwen put her hands on her hips, “You can hardly blame me given I was pushed up against a tree!” Glorfindel glared at her but went on, “Because she says she doesn’t love me when I can see she does…”

“How do you know?”
“I can see your mind Lathwen. I know you.”
“Ah…that could complicate things a bit.”
“Lathwen, this is not funny…are you purposely trying to hurt me? Do you want me to suffer more? Is this your idea of fun?!”

Lathwen gaped at him, “Glorfindel, I’ve saved your life more times than I can count and you accuse me of wanting to hurt you?! No! That’s not it, okay? I’m not trying to hurt you at all, I’d hate to see you suffer—”

Glorfindel stood up and glared at her, “To late! Look at me Lathwen! What do you see?”

“A stuck up warrior who thinks he can take advantage of any woman he wants! A lonely elf lord who only lusts after a woman…you don’t love me Glorfindel!”
“ARE YOU BLIND?! Look at me Lathwen!”

Lathwen stared at him long and hard, looking into his eyes.

Anguish. Pain. Hurt. Confusion.

“See? Now do you believe me?” Glorfindel said bitterly. Lathwen shook her head,
“Get rid of those feelings Glorfindel. I do not believe you.”
“Why not?”
“Out of all of the women here who would gladly warm your bed, you chose me? Ha! Perhaps because I’m the leader of the Outlaw Maiden’s? Is a simple elf-maiden not good enough for you?”

“CLOSE YOUR MOUTH WOMAN!”

Lathwen’s jaw dropped to the ground, it had been a long time since he dared to disrespect her like that. Glorfindel glowered at her.

“Let me explain shall I? I love you because of your courage, your strength and endurance. I love you because of your pity for others, your compassion and your caring and ability to forgive and forget.”

“Glorfindel…”

“I love you because of your sense of humor, however sarcastic; I love you because you are able to joke around. I love you because of your honesty and loyalty. You are trustworthy.”

“Glorfindel!”

“I love you because you treat me normally and don’t take me for granted. I love you because you’d save my life no matter the situation…you’d die for me and you’ve showed it more than once. I love you because of your many other virtues.”

“Please! Glorfindel! Stop!”

“I love you because of your voice…its lovely just like the rest of you. I love you because you are smart and beautiful Lathwen!”

“STOP!”

“ACCEPT IT OR DON’T, BUT I LOVE YOU! However insulting the things you say to me, I cannot…will not…stop. Understand?”

Lathwen growled at the elf lord and said, “It will never happen Glorfindel! Get that through your head will you?!”

“No.”
“Excuse me?!”
“No, Lathwen.”

Lathwen would have dearly loved to hang him by his thumbs in a well. “Very well. Until then, I shall not speak with you Lord Glorfindel. Good day.” She turned sharply and walked away.

I know, I know…you’re thinking, LATHWEN YOU FOOL! WHAT IDIOT WOULDN’T ACCEPT THE LOVE OF AN *ELF*?! But you must realize…trusting takes a while, and Lathwen had suffered by the hands of men, and she had heard about, not to mention seen, the horrible things they do. I mean really, how long has it been since she was rode out of Bree? Around a year. I do actually think Lathwen’s being to stereotypical…but that adds some fun to the story I suppose…