[Maikadilwen]

Anwanelme looked around in awe, taking in the sight of Lorien and the woods had an almost intimidating effect on her. She had lived in caves and in houses, but never in trees and she did not feel entirely comfortable in this place.
But here it seemed that she could finally be without her mother's constant interference, as Menelya in turn seemed the do her best to avoid her. She had been avoiding her ever since that night...

Her mind drifting, she thought about that night, remembered Melost's words to her and Arthain and the memory caused her to shiver.
No! He had broken their betrothal and ruined everything for her. She had had every right to do what she did. Melost had set her free. He had used those exact words himself.
Had he truly loved her, he would never have done this to her!

Startled by a sound behind her, Anwanelme turned around angrily, expecting to see her mother there, but instead she was greeted by one of Gil-galad's guards, no emotions visible on his face.
"The High King wishes to see you, my Lady" he said, his voice as caring as the expression on his face.
"Immediately!"

There was something in his words that caused Anwanelme to mind her tongue and she quietly followed the guard to the High King's tent, her head held high as she walked as straight and proud as she could. She knew he and Melost were kin but she had done nothing wrong. He had set her free! He had neglected his duties! He was the one who should be punished!

~*~

"All I know is that he must die."

Vlad cocked his head and raised an eyebrow as he silently studied Melost, thinking through what he had just told him. He didn't get it. This was all because of a woman?
"I don't quite follow your logic. You want to kill your best friend, because of what the broad did after you broke the betrothal...?"

Anger flared from Melost's eyes and Vlad raised his hands to calm him, almost expecting an attack.
He simply didn't understand this Elf. Not that he had ever met an Elf before, but could one really be so different from the other?
A woman... How could any man, or Elf for that matter, with a sound mind let himself end up like this because of a woman?

Memories of a certain redhead and her less than happy father entered his thoughts. She had not been the first, she had not been the last. But she had been something special! Almost worth being expelled from the city for. He sighed, trying his best to push it as far back into his mind as he possibly could.
Gazing at Melost for a while, thinking hard about what to do, he finally made a decision.

"You claim that this man is...was your friend... If that is the case, he should know better than to touch your woman, married or not! And for such a betrayal he deserves nothing but death. Do not ask me why, but I will help you find him."
And hopefully it'll shut those idiots up before I kill them myself! Vlad thought, looking over the small group that had been formed in a prison-cell, seeing the way they constantly fought each other instead of working together. Perhaps it was time to move on.

[ November 07, 2003: Message edited by: Maikadilwen ]