At the Mercy of a Burning Coal

Disclaimer; I have never owned Tolkien’s characters, but I’m still hoping…oh what the heck? I'll never own it, and owning Lillian, Lathwen, and Eothain is enough...right? Right!

When Eothain had mentioned elves, Lathwen nearly fell out of her saddle. THEY existed to?! She should have known…after all the strange things she had seen so far, she should have realized that there would be more strange things for her to see.

As she cantered down the road, she wondered how the elves would receive her. Would they be hostile? Were they only welcoming men? Would they welcome a strange woman with a bow and a stolen horse?

For she knew that if the stories were true, the elves would know her very soul…they would know all of the things she did. But elves weren’t perfect either…were they? They couldn’t be! There had to be some among them who got into mischief once upon a time…right?

Lathwen sighed and looked around to take her mind off of these things. It was quite beautiful here…the morning sun casting shadows and its beams dancing among the tree’s branches and the grass blades. The wind smelled sweet, and it was no longer as cold. Lathwen sighed; these had been her mother’s favorite days, when nature seemed welcoming and perfect.

Her mother had always sung on days like these, and it was always the same song. In the morning and evening, she’d sing the same song while Lathwen would sit on her lap and listen. But her mother was dead, and she wouldn’t sing anymore. Lathwen thought about those times, and decided that she would be like her mother…she would sing to.

“Tis the last rose of summer, left blooming alone. All her lovely companions are faded and gone. No flower of her kindred, no rosebud is nigh, to reflect back her blushes, or give sigh for sigh.” She paused to start the next verse, but someone else had beaten her to it.

A lovely female voice began to sing the next verse for her. “I’ll not leave thee thou lone one, to pine on the stem…” Lathwen paled, who was that?! She looked around frantically but could see no one among the many pine and fir trees. The female continued, “…Thus kindly I scatter, thy leaves o’er the bed. Where thy mates of the garden, lie scentless and dead.”

There was silence, as if the voice was waiting for her to finish the song. Lathwen slowed her horse to a walk and sang in a soft, timid voice, “ So soon may I follow, when friendships decay. And from love’s shining circle, the gems drop away.”

There was fair laughter coming from a clearing ahead, and Lathwen grew rigid with apprehension. Putting on a calm mask, she urged Rosethorn to a trot, and almost fainted when she came into the clearing.

At least twenty men and women were there, chatting pleasantly. They were dressed in soft pastel colors, and they all had dark, hair and grey eyes…like her own. Lathwen could have been mistaken as one of them, if she had pointed ears. Pointed ears?! They all had pointed ears! Looking closely, Lathwen could see that they looked young, but their eyes were ancient, haunted with the past.

When she came into the clearing, they all stopped talking at once and there was silence while they stared at her. Lathwen shifted uncomfortably under their gaze. She felt pierced by their glances, it felt like she was naked and they were pouring over her with a seeing glass.

It all lasted about two seconds, for an elf in a silver tunic stepped forward and said, “ Welcome, Lathwen Alanessa…we’ve been waiting for you since dawn…what took you?”

Lathwen was startled to say the least, for they knew her name (her real one and her assumed name) and they probably knew her business to. “ I’m sorry to intrude, but I wish to speak with your lord.” She said almost immediately, trying not to show that she was shocked. Would they let her see their lord? Who was their lord? Would he see her, or throw her out among the dogs?

The elf in the silver tunic glanced at the others who started talking among themselves again. Lathwen strained her ears, but still couldn’t understand their musical tongue. He nodded pleasantly at Lathwen and answered, “ Lord Elrond is very kind my lady, you have nothing to fear by him.” He walked over to Rosethorn and whispered something in her ear. In reply, she whinnied softly and then snorted while the elf laughed. “ A fine mare you have, Lathwen Alanessa. Where is she from?”
“ She’s from Bree, my lord…and please, call me Lathwen.”

The elf fixed his unnerving gaze on her again, “ From Bree you say? Tell me, is she from anywhere near Lord Adrian’s tavern and home?” Lathwen paled visibly…Adrian was her uncle’s name! How did they know about this? Did they know about her?!

Fighting to keep calm, Lathwen answered smoothly, “ She comes from a barn down a few roads from…Adrian’s…home.” There was silence until Lathwen muttered, “ I’d hardly call him a lord.” The elf smiled slightly and answered, “ And many would agree with you. Tell me, do you have any relation with Adrian?”

Lathwen replied venomously, “ None! None at all, and thank god for that! If I had any relation with him I’d die of shame!” Lathwen knew it was something of a lie and that the elves probably knew the story of her life…but in a way, it was truth. In that moment, Lathwen had severed the ties that bound her to her uncle. She no longer considered him her kin.

The elf frowned, but said, “ Come Lady Lathwen, it is time you meet Lord Elrond. We’ve kept him waiting long enough.” Lathwen dismounted and cringed as she walked stiffly behind the elf, leading Rosethorn by the bridle. They came to a bridge that crossed over another river, and they had to cross in single file or else be pushed overboard.

In the middle of the bridge, Lathwen began to feel queasy and light-headed. Lack of food and sleep had taken its toll on her. She involuntarily dropped Rosethorn’s reigns and fell to her knees. She dimly heard the elf ask in concern, “ Lady Lathwen! Are you well?” Suddenly her vision became blurry and she saw nothing more but darkness as she fell to the ground unconscious.

***
Lathwen struggled to consciousness, not moving a muscle. She was on a bed somewhere; she could feel the soft sheets underneath her hands. The air smelled like lavender…and she could hear someone speaking. Two someone’s…and they were right near her bedside, talking about…what?

“ Are you actually suggesting that we *help* that evil man, Erestor?”

“ No! Not at all my lord! But if that is where she comes from, she’d best go back. It is not safe for a woman to be out in these parts traveling alone.”

“ She seems to have done fine these past few days, or however long she’s been traveling…I am sure she can handle herself if she has managed to get here.” A voice said dryly.

A different voice spoke up, that of the elf in the silver tunic, “ But she said she had no relation with him Lord Erestor.”
“ Are you sure?”
“ Yes.”

One of the elves, Erestor, sighed heavily and said, “ We will trust her then. We have no other choice it seems.” The voice that first spoke said, “ And what would a woman be doing with a bow, all alone, traveling from Weathertop’s general direction?”
“ Running away from something…”
“ Or someone…”
“ You are right Lord Erestor, it could be someone…she could be exiled from someplace and has nowhere else to go…” Lathwen couldn’t help but snort at that suggestion.

There was silence from the elves until Erestor said, “ I think we can cross that one off of the list. Open your eyes maiden, why don’t you tell us yourself since you’re awake?”

Lathwen opened her eyes at sat up, looking around. She was in a very ornate bed, and still in her dress…the room was overlooking a river, as she could see from looking out of the window. The window was large, covered in gossamer curtains.

Finally, Lathwen looked at the elves. There was the elf that had led her over the bridge, and there were two others. One was wearing crimson tunic, his long black hair braided on the side. The other had a stately look about him, and instead of braids, his hair was in…twists at the side?

The elf in crimson spoke, and Lathwen recognized the voice…he was Erestor. “ At last you wake Lady Lathwen.” That scared her a bit…at last? “ How long have I been asleep?” She asked politely. “ Five days.” He answered. Lathwen’s eyes widened…five days?! She tried to get out of bed, but Erestor held out a hand and said, “ Stop…lie down a bit, you shouldn’t exert yourself.”

She frowned as she looked at the other two, “ I’m sorry my lords, I didn’t catch your names.” The two briefly looked at each other with slight smiles on their faces. The one in the silver tunic bowed slightly and said, “ My name is Beinion, my lady.” Lathwen nodded and said, “ Please, call me Lathwen. I find I don’t much like being called ‘ my lady’. Just ‘Lathwen’ sounds much more natural.”

Beinion’s eyes twinkled as he said, “ Of course Lathwen.” The other elf stepped forward and said, “ Pleased to meet you Lathwen. My name is Elrond.” Lathwen’s eyes widened and she made a move to get out of the bed again, but Elrond touched her shoulder and gently pushed her down.

“ You must stay in the bed Lathwen. You heard Erestor.” Lathwen answered, “ I’m sorry Lord Elrond, but I fail to see how standing up can be exerting myself. I feel fine! Honestly!” The other elves looked at each other. “ If you’ll pardon my frankness.” Lathwen said hurriedly.

The elves smiled and Lord Elrond said, “ Not at all Lathwen…I suppose if you feel up to it you may…” But Lathwen was already standing up, “ Thank you my lord.” She said calmly. Beinion took hold of the situation and asked Lathwen, “ What brings you to Imladris? Why did you want to see Lord Elrond.” Erestor snorted in a very undignified way and said, “ Honestly Beinion, she just woke up! How do you—”

Lathwen laughed and said, “ Oh no! It’s fine! Honest.” She turned to Beinion and said, “ I am running out of provisions…since this was the closest place to stop, I came here to ask if I could buy some.” Lord Elrond cocked an eyebrow, “ Buy some? Lathwen, here you may take some without having to pay.” Lathwen was somewhat startled with this piece of information. “ You mean...? Oh my, this is not like other places.” Erestor smiled amusedly, “ No, it is not.”

Lathwen suddenly thought about her horse. “ Rosethorn!” She exclaimed, “ Is she all right? Where is she?” Beinion answered, “ Your mare? She’s in the stables.” Lathwen sighed quietly; she’d grown very attached to that horse. Beinion continued, “ If you don’t mind me asking…will you tell us why you’re traveling.”

Lathwen’s face grew dark with anger, “ To find something that was stolen from me.” Erestor said gently, “ Could you be more specific.” Lathwen shook her head and said firmly, “ To find something that belongs to me.” She would say no more on that subject.

She remembered that the stories told of them always said that elves were very knowledgeable. Why didn’t they know about what they were asking?

It must have shown on her face to because Lord Elrond said, “ We know much Lathwen, but most of us cannot read minds.” Erestor snorted again, “ Coming from the elf in Imladris most famous for being able to guess others thoughts and feelings.” Lathwen’s eyebrows shot up, “ *Most* of us?” Elrond nodded, “ Some of us.” Another piece of information that Lathwen had no idea about.

“ Where do you hail from, Lathwen?” Erestor asked suddenly. Lathwen shrugged, “ West of here. It’s a long way off.” She said vaguely. When Erestor opened his mouth again, Lathwen cut in, “ And no, I will not be more specific.”
“ Don’t you trust us?”
“ Some things are better left unsaid.”

Lord Elrond nodded, “ Wise words from one so young.” Lathwen answered, “ I’m not young! I’m old enough to marry and have a family.” Elrond said, “ To us, you are very young.” Erestor muttered, “ Then again, to any immortal you’d be young.”

Lathwen sat down on the edge of the bed and said weakly, “ You’re *immortal*?” Elrond and Erestor nodded, but Beinion looked amused. Lathwen felt another pang of annoyance at her ignorance.

“ Where are your parents?” Beinion asked gently. Lathwen looked away and said in a harsh voice, “ They’re dead.” Beinion felt pity. Mortal life always resulted in mortal dead. It was the will of the Valar.

“ I am sorry. I did not mean to bring up such a painful subject.” Lathwen sighed, “ It’s fine.” They sat in a silence for about two seconds before Erestor asked, “ Tell me, do you know how to use that bow of yours?” Lathwen nodded hesitantly, “ I shot one of those…goblins near Weathertop. Would that be considered knowing how to use it?”

Erestor and Beinion gasped, “ Orcs? Near Weathertop?” Erestor frowned. Beinion muttered, “ Strange. Very strange.” Lord Elrond shot a look at the other two and said calmly, “ Yes Lathwen, you know how to use it.”

The sound of screaming and the door being flung open interrupted them. Lathwen watched in horror as a girl was thrown (literally) inside of the room and a tall thin man with a stormy face followed. He bellowed, “ My Lord Elrond…as a guest I must insist that you keep your servants idle chatter from reaching the ears of *my* servant! It’s causing her to be rebellious and stubborn!”

Lord Elrond took this all quiet well, considering that the man was inches away from him. “ I assure you, I cannot control what my servants say…I am not their master in that respect.” The man sputtered angrily, and Lathwen slipped behind him, kneeling beside the shaking girl.

She gently stroked the girl’s hair and said, “ Shh…all will be well.” She continued to comfort the frightened girl as she lay facedown on the floor. After a moment, Lathwen suggested tenderly, “ Why don’t you sit up?” The girl nodded and trembled slightly as she got up from the ground and into a sitting position.

The man with the arrogant face whirled around and said, “ You! Don’t you tell her what to do! She answers to me, and me only!”

Lathwen’s temper snapped, she was used to seeing abuse, seeing as she was abused herself, but she wouldn’t stand for any kind of abuse to anyone any longer.

She shouted, “ I can hardly see why! How DARE you treat her like this?! From where I’m kneeling, I can see all of the bruises and scars she has from your treatment! What have you done to her you wicked man?!”

The girl said bitterly, “ He beats me and whips me like a dog. What’s worse is that I’m his daughter!” Lathwen’s face paled and she stood up and marched over to the arrogant man who was now looking quite shocked.

She pointed to the door and roared, “ GET OUT *NOW*!”

Perhaps it was a mix of shock from seeing this girl furiously ordering him out like she owned the place, or his daughter trembling on the floor after spilling out the long kept secret. Either way, he took one look at Lord Elrond’s angry face and fled out of the door and down the hallway.

Lathwen slammed the door shut and walked over to the man’s daughter and held out a hand. The girl took it and stood up. “ What’s your name?” She asked gently. The girl no longer trembled and she said in a steady voice, “ Lillian. My friend’s call me Lily.”