Theodred: In need of distraction ....
May. 24th, 2004 03:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Theodred pushed his way into the Golden Hall, heart heavy, needing the comfort good company and good ale would bring. For once, he had left Brego in the care of Widfara, too weary to take care of the stallion himself, and for once, he knew Brego understood why.
The village had burned. They had got there too late, and he could still taste the ash that had filled the air. He had become hardened to the sight of death; warriors died in defence of their people, their lands, it was inevitable, especially in these dark times, but the children …
When the fighting had turned in their favour, and the last attackers were running, he had sent half of his men after them, and taken the rest back to the village to survey the damage, check for survivors. And that’s when he found them. Two children, no more than 5 years old, and a woman, probably their mother, lying in the dirt, hacked to death, their blood staining the ground. His hadn’t been the only pale face at the sight. The very things they were fighting for lay dead at their feet, and he had felt a feeling of futility wash over him. The attacks were growing in frequency and ferocity and his father wouldn’t listen to anyone but Wormtongue. Even his own son was ignored. Theodred had sighed, and had gone to help with the survivors, leaving Brego to rest for a while by a drinking trough that had survived the carnage.
Dragging his thoughts back to the present, Theodred spotted Eomer sitting in his usual place, and pushed his way through the people filling the hall to join him. He was in great need of his cousin’s company tonight.
The village had burned. They had got there too late, and he could still taste the ash that had filled the air. He had become hardened to the sight of death; warriors died in defence of their people, their lands, it was inevitable, especially in these dark times, but the children …
When the fighting had turned in their favour, and the last attackers were running, he had sent half of his men after them, and taken the rest back to the village to survey the damage, check for survivors. And that’s when he found them. Two children, no more than 5 years old, and a woman, probably their mother, lying in the dirt, hacked to death, their blood staining the ground. His hadn’t been the only pale face at the sight. The very things they were fighting for lay dead at their feet, and he had felt a feeling of futility wash over him. The attacks were growing in frequency and ferocity and his father wouldn’t listen to anyone but Wormtongue. Even his own son was ignored. Theodred had sighed, and had gone to help with the survivors, leaving Brego to rest for a while by a drinking trough that had survived the carnage.
Dragging his thoughts back to the present, Theodred spotted Eomer sitting in his usual place, and pushed his way through the people filling the hall to join him. He was in great need of his cousin’s company tonight.
no subject
Date: 2004-06-06 04:45 pm (UTC)Raising a hand, Eomer made a gesture to some of the other men. Almost immediately, a flagon of ale was set in front of Theodred. It was no secret what lay heavy in his cousin's thoughts this evening. The children.
Eomer could still taste the foul flavor of ashes and blood, and the bitter hint of bile that had risen at the sight of the small children.
no subject
Date: 2004-06-06 05:16 pm (UTC)He spoke quietly, not wanting his words to be overheard. "I begin to wonder if there has ever been a chance of victory, or if all we do is for nothing."
He took another drink, and turned to look at Eomer, knowing he had seen the same sights today, but needing words of reassurance, however empty they may prove to be.