A Deed Unforgiven by LadySternchen  

Flashback- Orodreth

The gate of Nargothrond ground across the stone floor as it was pulled open, the sound causing Orodreth’s stomach to churn, now that he came to his brother’s city with such dread news. Finduilas pressed her little face against his leg, yet he did not have it within him to comfort his daughter.

“Orodreth!”

Lúthien’s voice was little more than a croak, telling him that his cousin’s throat must be bone dry. So the same dread that filled him also filled her.

“My Lady Lúthien.” Orodreth bestowed a courteous bow upon her. “Where is the King? I need to speak to him at once!”

“He is not here, Orodreth. Finrod left Nargothrond in all haste when he heard of the breaking of the siege and the battle in Dorthonion, to aid your brothers there. He left me in charge while he is gone.”

Despite his fear and discomfort, Orodreth almost smiled and the indignity in her voice. Lúthien had ever hated to be left in a position of power. Not that she did not like pulling the strings, but being officially in charge did not agree with her at all.

Then Lúthien’s words truly registered in his mind,  and he had to lean against the wall as the world began to spin around him. His knees gave way beneath him. Finrod had been in Dorthonion.

He heard his wife’s and daughter’s frightened exclamation and knew he had frightened them, but still could do nothing against it.  Lúthien knelt down too, tightly pressing his forearm.

“Are you hurt? Orodreth, what has happened to you?”

Orodreth shook his head, wordlessly telling Lúthien that it was indeed nothing but exhaustion and despair that brought him to the ground. Once he had found his voice again, he grasped Lúthien’s arm in return and said:

“Minas Tirith is taken. We escaped but with our lives, and many of our household were slain. Sauron, or as your people call him, Gorthaur and his accursed werewolves.

But oh, what news you tell me now, Lúthien. Dorthonion burns. If my brothers were all there, then I likely am the only son of Finarfin left alive.”