Melost exchanged a wry look with Vlad and he saw the corner of Vlad's mouth twitch as though trying to restrain himself from laughing. "Interesting group you have. Two incompetents, an earnest young Gondorian and...her." His eyes slid side-ways to gaze at Jaheira as he touched his throat ruefully. "Why must women always draw blood?" he thought as he turned away and began to walk down along the eastern path that led down to the valley below. With a sharp cry Vlad quickly caught up to him and spun him around. "Where do you think you're going, my fine friend? You think you can accept our hospitality and then just walk away? You may not have noticed, but we are hardly the trusting sort." He moved to stand in Melost's way.
They looked at one another, each gauging the other. At length Melost smiled grimly. "Come, let me tell you a tale. When I finish, you can judge for yourself whether or not I have cause to pursue my enemy." He gestured to a fallen log and sat himself down. Jaheira watched the two of them settle down and walked over to them in exasperation. "Vlad, are we leaving or not?" One look shut her mouth and she stalked off to join the others. Vlad shouted to Khalad to lead them on down the trail, then turned to Melost. "Talk, Elf. We've wasted enough time on you."
Melost glanced up at him sharply, then began. "I am in service to the High King, Gil-galad, have been for many years before you were born. I...met a man, Arthain. He became dear to me, through many perils. He is part of the forces moving eastward to defeat Sauron. We were asked to escort several Elven women to Lothlorien, which you may know as the Golden Wood. One of them was my betrothed. From the first time they beheld one another, I sensed an attraction, but I discounted it. Then I had a vision of my death in battle. You see, I have put off our wedding more than once, becasue my king needed me, but this time...in any case, I spoke with her, telling her of my premonition and I released her from our betrothal, unless she chose to wait until after the war is over. I...felt it unfair to ask her to wait longer." He drew a shuddering breath before he continued. "She betrayed me with my dearest friend, the man to whom I have entrusted my life many times. I found them together in his tent.." He closed his eyes as the memory flooded over him again. He rose to his feet and began to pace.
"From that time, until this day, I have no recollection of what I have done, nor where I have gone. All I know is that he must die." As he spoke, he began to tremble, though with what strong emotion, Vlad could not begin to fathom.
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