From: gorthol	Date: 02/12/2007 16:39:44

*is just now being ejected from the very last poker game on the East Side on suspicion of cheating*

*(can't seem to convince anyone that it really is coincidence he always gets the perfect hands at the perfect moment)*

*searches his empty pockets and wonders what the hell he's going to do when he comes down in an hour or so*

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/12/2007 16:44:33

*sighs in relief when she sees you*

*approaches slowly, more or less considering you to be on level with a caged animal at the moment*

Túrin, darling? Is that you?

	From: gorthol	Date: 02/12/2007 16:50:30

*looks at you as though he's not entirely seeing you*

*suddenly recalls your face from a week ago...or a month...a year...a hundred years, maybe?*

Lady Melian? What are you doing...wherever this is here?

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/12/2007 16:53:38

I came to find you, dear. *glances you over* And I have to say it's a good thing I did. You look like you haven't eaten a solid meal in a week which I'm guessing you haven't. Come along and we'll get you some food and you can tell me what all the fuss is.

	From: gorthol	Date: 02/12/2007 17:02:23

*has definitely heard that word 'food' somewhere before*

*just give him a minute*

Come along.

*bewildered* No. I don't want his pardon. He should be asking for mine. *blinks* ...But that was a long time ago, wasn't it?

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/12/2007 17:08:53

Shh. Don't worry, Túrin. *places a gentle hand on your arm* *smiles* Thingol is gone far away. He won't be back for some time. If you don't want to see him you can leave before he comes back. I promise. It's just little me and there's nothing I can do to detain you because you're about a thousand times more powerful than me. I just want to see you taken care of.

*takes your words and general bewilderment as sign that your memories have started coming back en force* That explains quite a bit.

	From: gorthol	Date: 02/12/2007 17:20:17

*appears somewhat soothed by your tone* He didn't tell me anything. I was furious when he didn't tell me anything because...he didn't tell me anything but now I can't know anything.

*speaks emphatically but without any strong emotion behind the words, his thinking mercifully too muddled* I can't, Melian.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/12/2007 17:24:40

*smiles softly, as if she understands exactly what you're trying to say* I know, Túrin, I know. He infuriates me every single day, but he honestly doesn't mean to. He's just looking after us -- you and me and Lúthien -- in the way he best knows. It's not right but it's not meant to be cruel. You have to understand that.

*places her hand on you cheek* It hurts, doesn't it, and you don't want to feel the hurt? You can't chase the hurt away forever, Túrin. You'll only make it worse. I can help you.

	From: gorthol	Date: 02/12/2007 17:33:16

I know he is. *looking around at the rundown streets and buildings* It's no place for someone like you, my lady. *doesn't clarify whether he means the place they're standing or Thingol's virtual prison*

It hurts

*nods solemnly, suddenly feeling very young and very lost* *maybe-kinda-sorta-half-believes you know what you're talking about* Because you're an Ainu? Finduilas wanted to help and I thought Beleg had forgiven me but they're Elves or...and then...oh. Then I shot her.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/12/2007 17:40:58

It's no place for you, either. *means the place they're standing, natuarlly* You belong with the people who care about you and who you care about. This isn't your life.

Because you're an Ainu?

*tilts her head to one side* Yes, a bit. But more because you are my son sort of and I want nothing from you but to see you well and happy. If being away from us is what makes you happy, it is your decision. But first you must be well again.

	From: gorthol	Date: 02/12/2007 17:51:58

*frowns* When I think of all the...Everything, I don't know where to put it. There's not room. What is my life? Do you know where I can put it all? ...Were we going somewhere? *firmly* I'll see you there safely.

well again

*sighs wearily* I'm alive. But it's all wrong and wasn't righted before everything broke. The first time, I mean.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/12/2007 17:55:34

Were we going somewhere?

Yes, yes, you were walking me home. Let's go, this place frightens me. *begins leading you in the right direction, hopefully without making it obvious she's leading you*

*looks at you sadly* You need time, is all Túrin. There's so much, all at once, you need time to make the space. Nothing is right, but ignoring it doesn't make it right. The only way to make it right now is to try to make up for what was wrong. You're not ready to do that just yet, but you will be.

	From: gorthol	Date: 02/12/2007 18:06:07

*chivalrously offers his arm* *is led leads the way*

*in a listless tone* Maybe. I don't know. *matter-of-factly* It's very cold tonight, don't you think? Stars or no stars. *has no idea it's actually not at all cold*

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/12/2007 18:08:20

*watches you as they walk along* Yes, it is. These heated caves have a tendancy to stay chilly most of the time, particularly in winter. A bet a nice, warm bowl of soup and a big, soft bed sound like just the cure for that, hmm?

	From: gorthol	Date: 02/12/2007 18:15:30

*shrugs childishly* Dunno. *despite his half-starved appearance* Not really hungry. *shivers*

*hears someone talking and doesn't realize he's inadvertently picked up on an echo of one of your thoughts* What did you say?

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/12/2007 18:18:28

Well, at least you'll be warm again. A good night's sleep wouldn't hurt, I'd wager. *glances at you* I didn't say anything, dear.

	From: gorthol	Date: 02/12/2007 18:25:01

*smiles faintly* Can't argue with that.

I didn't say anything

I thought... Never mind. I'm hearing things. *laughs a little wildly* I'm not myself lately.

*seems surprised when they arrive at the palace gates* Ah. Safe and sound.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/12/2007 18:27:54

I'm not myself lately.

Nothing that can't be fixed with time. And therapy, lots of therapy.

Now that wasn't so bad. *leads you inside* Why don't you lie down for a while and, if you're feeling up to it, we can talk later? I'll have some food brought to your room.

	From: gorthol	Date: 02/12/2007 18:31:32

*increasingly distracted* Yeah. Um. I just have to go out for a bit? And then I can come back if you want? Maybe?

*scratches his arms restlessly*

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/12/2007 19:09:03

*sighs* Túrin, darling, you don't need anything but some sleep and some food. And a few days in detox.

Come lay down for a while, get some rest. If you still feel like this in three days when you wake up, you can leave. You'll feel better if you stay, really.

	From: gorthol	Date: 02/12/2007 19:21:12

You'll feel better

*against his better-or-mostly-just-really-awful judgment* I am tired. Maybe a short nap. *rubs his temples*

*is at least 86% sure he can find his way to his old room*

*thinking of something you said* Talk later, I guess.

	From: queenmelly	Date: 02/12/2007 19:24:56

*smiles, victorious (she hopes)* That's good. I'll see you when you're feeling up to it. *waits for you to head up the stairs and then goes to let the guards know that she should be told immediately if you make any attempt to leave*




....*sends a message to her husband letting him know you're still alive*

	From: sindacollo	Date: 02/12/2007 19:38:13

*sends a return message saying "Túrin Who?"*





*relief, OMFG*