At the Mercy of a Burning Coal

Disclaimer; I own nothing other than Eothain, Lillian, and of course, Lathwen.

Lillian insisted upon being called Lily by everyone in the room. Of course, Lathwen had introduced herself and the others had introduced themselves as well, asking if Lily had been harmed when she landed on the floor. She said she hadn’t been, but Lathwen wasn’t so sure.

Lily had almond shaped green eyes and sun bronzed skin. Her hair was blonde and curly, its ringlets flowing down to her shoulders. She was in a ragged dress, white and red checkered, and a white apron. She was the same age as Lathwen and had the same confident air, but she was more sociable.

“ Of all the discourteous things…” Erestor said with a shake of his head as soon as the man had left. Lathwen had helped Lily to the bed. The two girls’ sat down next to each other and soon were engaged in discussion while the elves listened. Well really, Lathwen was asking Lily about herself…

“ Has he always treated you like this?”
“ Yes, ever since mother died.”
“ I lost both of my parents a few years back to.”
“ I’m sorry, Lathwen.”
“ Why? There’s nothing to be sorry about! Fate strikes wherever it will.”
“ True, but my mother’s dead was no accident. My father killed her.”
“ Dear me! And you didn’t tell anyone?!”
“ No one wanted to mess with him…he’s an ill-mannered bully with a selfish demeanor.”
“ So I saw.”

Listening to Lily, Lathwen found that they had the same sense of humor. Lily told them that her father was visiting Imladris because he had heard of some merchants here…but it ended up a rumor. He was planning to leave in a week. Lily had snorted after this, “ Like it takes that long to pack. He’s hoping to snitch something more like.”

Lathwen frowned and said, “ But Lily, you aren’t going with him…are you?” Lily shook her head vigorously and replied, “ I’d rather be boiled in hot oil than go anywhere else with that self-centered bastard.”

Lathwen raised her eyebrows at Lily’s language. Lily blushed red to the roots of her fair hair and said, “ I’m sorry everyone…but I’ve lived with my father so long that I don’t think what comes out of my mouth because he says the same things so often to me.” Lord Elrond broke in at that moment and said, “ Your apology is accepted Lily…but try to curb that tongue of yours…it could get you into trouble here.” Lily nodded, still blushing. Lord Elrond continued, “ You are welcome to stay here as long as you like Lily.”

Lathwen had been thinking…she would really love to have human company, and it would be good to have a partner to cover your back in battle…and she was establishing a friendship with Lily…they’d become fast friends she guessed. “ Or you could come with me as an equal...you wouldn’t be enslaved or anything of that sort.” Lathwen said suddenly to everyone’s astonishment.

Lathwen blinked and asked, “ What? I’d like to have some company…that is, as long as you want to go Lily.” Lily’s eyes had widened at Lathwen’s pronouncement, “ Really?! You mean it! Where are you going?”

The three elves looked at her and Erestor said, “ Yes, where are you going? That’s one thing none of us know.” Lathwen shrugged; there was no harm in telling them. “ Gondor. Of course, I don’t plan to stay very long…and I don’t know what I’ll do after that. I hope you like a life of adventure and wandering Lily, because if you come with me, there will be plenty in supply.”

Lily grinned broadly and her whole face beamed with a content light. “ Yes! I’ve always wanted to see other places…you truly won’t mind Lathwen?” Lathwen grinned right back and said, “ Absolutely not!” Lord Elrond nodded and said, “ Then you’ll go with Lathwen, Lily…whenever you two want to go.”

Lily looked at Lathwen with upraised eyebrows. Lathwen sighed and said, “ I do want to get moving as soon as able…and I didn’t mean to stay for five whole days…I think I should go today if possible. What do you think Lily?”

Lily shrugged and said, “ Personally, I’d like to get away from my father very soon. I’d say it’s a good plan.” Lathwen slapped her forehead, “ Your father! We need to tell him. He won’t mind, will he?” Lily shook her head and said softly, “ He’ll be glad to have me out of his way.”

Lathwen felt an inkling of pity, but hid it, knowing that Lily probably wouldn’t appreciate it. “ Really? Well then, he’ll find he’s missing something instead.” Lily smiled and got up, “ Thank you all very much. You have no idea how grateful I am!”

Lathwen stood up and said, “ You’re very welcome Lily. After you tell your father where you’re going, why don’t you pack and…wait one minute!” Lathwen turned to face Lord Elrond and asked, “ My lord, is it possible that we could borrow a tunic? Preferably one that is green with brown leggings…we’ll be going through many forests.” Lord Elrond smiled at her and said, “ I’ll see what I can find.”

***
Lily met Lathwen outside of Imladris on the bridge where Lathwen had fainted. Lord Elrond had provided them both with tunics, food, water, and a better map than the one Eothain had given her. “ Eothain is used to traveling,” Lord Elrond had told her, “ Therefore he doesn’t need a very detailed map.”

Lily’s silky green shirt would be little protection against wind and rain Lathwen realized, so Lily was also provided with a gray cloak. Since Rosethorn couldn’t carry two people, plus supplies, Lily was also given a bow (Lathwen had promised to teach Lily how to use a bow as soon as possible due to the fact that there would be many more dangers to face) and a beautiful brown horse with a black mane named Uruitiel…a female name meaning “fiery” in the elves speech.

Lily had asked why she was named that, and the elven stable master answered, “ Because she has a stubborn disposition, but is swift as the wind. Judging from what I’ve heard, I think you will be able to handle her Lady Lily.” At this Lily had blushed and thanked the stable master.

Later she muttered to Lathwen, “ I’m just going to call her Firefoot or something like that…I can’t remember these elvish names!” Lathwen shrugged and whispered back, “ Back where I come from, I saw a horse like that and her name was ‘Wildfire’ because she was fast to. Why don’t you call her ‘Wildfire’ if you can’t remember the her real name?” Lily grinned and agreed, saying that Wildfire was a wonderful name for a horse like that.

So now Lily and Lathwen were in the clearing in their tunics, wearing their cloaks, their weapons strapped onto their backs and their saddlebags full. Lord Elrond, Erestor, Beinion, and others they didn’t know were there to see them off.

Lord Elrond stepped forward and said, “ We wish you a safe journey, and good luck finding your possession Lathwen. Imladris will always welcome you, as will I.” Lathwen smiled and answered, “ Thank you, my lords, for being so kind to Lily and I…we are forever in your debt. If there is anything we can do for you, do not hesitate to ask. Farewell for now.” Lily added, “ Goodbye my lords, and don’t forget to keep my father in line.” Beinion smiled, “ We won’t. Farwell!”

Taking one last look at Imladris, Lathwen and Lily called one more goodbye before cantering out of the clearing and onto the path leading to the river.

***
The two girls’ had just crossed over the river with no trouble at all. They hadn’t seen anyone for a while now. Once over the river, Lily heaved a sigh and continued to ride beside Lathwen, their horses at a walk. “ Well,” She began, “ We’ve just left a very comfortable place…but I say good riddance to it all…most of all my father.” Lathwen snorted and replied, “ I’m not so elated about leaving all of the luxuries…but I suppose we have to get used to it, seeing as it will be a very long journey.”

They continued in silence until Lathwen reigned in Rosethorn, pulling out the map and inspecting it. She sighed and put the map away, “ Looks like we have to go left.” Lathwen said and turned Rosethorn to the left towards some more trees. Lily shrugged and followed.

After a few moments of silence, Lily said, “ I’ve been thinking…you should start a group or something to help women in desperate situations.” Lathwen looked at her friend with upraised eyebrows, “ Eh?” Lily continued, “ I don’t mean to be blunt, but there’s many more girls and women who are abused by husbands, or brothers, or fathers. You could help them.”

Lathwen let out a short bark of laughter, “ Yeah…because there’s so many maiden’s waiting to be rescued here.” She spread her arms wide, taking in the whole area around them.

Lily’s tone became earnest, “ I’m perfectly serious Lathwen! You could help them! Think of all the girls’ being hit or whipped, and the women being raped and killed…think about it Lathwen! You could help them like you’ve helped me! There’s bound to be more in Gondor, or Rohan, or maybe even in the places where elves live! You could start something to help them!”

Lathwen sighed and bit her lip, “ Lily, I haven’t told anyone else this…so you mustn’t tell anyone either. Not a soul!” Lily promised.

Lathwen began, “ I come from Bree…and I was a servant in a tavern under my uncle’s care. He beat me and whipped me like your father did to you.” Lily gasped, looking horrified.

“ Lily, it’s a kind idea, but there are so many women out there, so many like us…how would I reach them all? I can’t possibly search out one person at a time! Besides, I need to go to Gondor before my uncle gets a warning to the person who has my belongings!”

Lily ignored the last part of the sentence and said, “ You won’t have to Lathwen! We could shout it out in the village squares, convince independent women to follow you, maybe not just those being abused…maybe women who feel like they’re trapped or caged…think of all the good you could do for them!” Lathwen was silent and Lily continued, “ After a while, word would spread and women would be flocking to you! They—”

Lathwen held up a hand and interrupted Lily, “ And I would be doing this why?” Lily rolled her eyes, “ To help others! To help those who need it whether it be peasants like us, or kings! Lathwen, surely you see that a group of trained women could do for those who are in need? If a village is being attacked, if people are being stolen from, or killed…we could help!”

Lathwen asked, “ Why did this idea come to mind?” Lily looked uncomfortable and answered, “ Because…it would be a good way to make up for all of the horrible things my father has done…or your uncle or the evil things everyone else has done. We could compensate for all of the evil things here.” Lathwen said, “ Yes, Lily…it’s a good idea, but—”
“ But what? We need something to do with our lives once we finish your business in Gondor…why not this?”

Lathwen struggled for an answer, but finally gave up and said, “ I suppose you’re right…that does sound like it could work…but we’d need to figure out all of the details Lily. And what if women don’t want to follow or help us?”
“ Us? You mean you.”
“ No…you came up with the plan, so you’ll be helping. You’ll be the other leader.”
“ What? No! Second in command.”
“ Fine. Now answer my question.”

Lily sighed and said, “ Believe me Lathwen, women will want to follow you. Unfortunately, there are many more out there that are in situations like ours.”

Lathwen and Lily had come to a clearing in the woods…a meadow.

Authors Note: Betcha wondering how her horse can take all of this, huh? (Thank you Callisto) There is a reason...but I can't tell right now. Oh, and Wildfire is obviously elf-bred so she has more stamina and energy than Rosethorn. Some new characters are going to come into the story soon...very soon...