From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 14:40:55

*has been following him for a time, quietly, waiting for the right moment to approach*

*finally steps out of hiding when she hears him speak*

Getting out now may doom those of us who are left behind.

	From: berencamlost	Date: 02/10/2007 14:43:22

*spins around*

*bows his head* My Lady Melian.

*pauses* I do not see how there is a place for me here.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 14:47:01

*steps closer to you* I never thought you one to admit defeat so easily. *curiously* What is it that has your doubting your place so quickly? You have the freedom you desired. You should be happy.

	From: berencamlost	Date: 02/10/2007 14:54:21

I do not have freedom, Lady. If I go back to your husband's city, I will be imprisoned, if not executed. If I leave, I am without Lúthien. I would rather live a while and hope than condemn myself to death.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 14:57:52

*smiles* No, I would not suggest you go back into the city. Your assessment there is correct. I would suggest you remain in the woods and cling to that hope. Lúthien does love the woods.

	From: berencamlost	Date: 02/10/2007 15:04:52

*smiles faintly* She still does, doesn't she?

*whispers* I miss her.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 15:15:14

*reaches out and touches the side of your face*

*gently* I know you do. If it were in my power this wait would be over. As it is, you must have patience.

*lets her hand drop and looks away* I can protect you while you wait. She will find out the truth eventually, despite her father's efforts. I cannot tell her myself. It is something he would never forgive. My protection is all I can offer.

	From: berencamlost	Date: 02/10/2007 15:18:21

*looks away too* I suspect Thingol forgives very little.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 15:24:12

*quietly* It depends on the crime.

*looks at you evenly* He suspects that I am the one who released you. If I cannot find a way to prove him wrong, very soon I will be in a position to help no one, not even my own daughter.

	From: berencamlost	Date: 02/10/2007 15:33:21

*surprised* He suspects you? *almost laughs out loud* But it was that coward! His own lapdog released me so that I could find our Tinúviel.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 15:35:56

*is somewhat surprised by your reaction* He trusts me very little when it comes to our daughter.

*thinks about what you have said* Coward? You don't mean... Daeron? I thought he despised you more than Thingol.

	From: berencamlost	Date: 02/10/2007 15:42:06

*nods* Yes, Daeron. To give credit where it is due, he does love your daughter, in his own way. On that much, he and I agree. He released me so that I might find Tinúviel.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 15:46:11

*laughs herself* Of course he would have his use eventually. I thought he might, but I never imagined it would be in this way. A lesson to never underestimate someone, I suppose.

He released me so that I might find Tinúviel.

And... did you?

	From: berencamlost	Date: 02/10/2007 15:50:10

*is surprised that you would doubt it* Of course I found her but -- *bites his lip* -- she never really needed finding, I suspect.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 15:53:13

No, no, you are right about that. She is strong-willed, as I am certain you remember. *smiles softly* No one would have found her if she had not wished it, I think.

	From: berencamlost	Date: 02/10/2007 16:03:15

*softly* That is our Lúthien.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 16:06:01

*looks at you closely*

*bluntly, but gently* You seem a bit lost, Beren.

	From: berencamlost	Date: 02/10/2007 16:17:38

Only a bit? I feel -- overwhelmed, my Lady. She does not know me and there seems no rhyme and reason for it.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 16:26:22

*feels her own heart ache for yours*

*thinks for a moment* *somewhat reluctantly* I cannot tell you all of what I have seen... but... she will know you soon. Within a matter of days, from what I can tell. It will not be from memory, but at least she will know you.

	From: berencamlost	Date: 02/10/2007 16:31:58

*feels somewhat heartened*

Then I shall live for that, Lady.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 16:37:12

*quietly* You must be patient with her, even then. She is still so young and there is much she doesn't understand, or will not want to understand. She will need you more than she realizes.

*shakes her head* That is all I can say. The rest is up to you. I should leave you now, before I am followed.

There is a place in the woods, north of here, away from the city. There is a stream and a grove and an empty cabin probably falling apart. You will know it when you see it. If you wish to take your rest there, you will be safe. I have seen that it is protected. No one will pass near that I do not wish.

	From: berencamlost	Date: 02/10/2007 16:57:56

You do too much for me, Lady.

*looks at you searchingly* I thank you.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/10/2007 17:03:09

*quietly inclines her head in acknowledgement and then disappears into the trees*