[LúthienTinúviel]

Tinuiel watched Rûdhchamion silently for a long while. He felt as if with her gaze, she was probing the deepest secrets of his soul, but he did not flinch. After a time Tinuiel sighed deeply and looked up into the boughs of the great trees above them, then she looked back into Rûdhchamion's face.

"You called me wise once. Let us hope I shall prove myself worthy of those words now." She took a deep breath. "I perceive no deceit on your tongue, yet you are indeed a tresspasser in this land, and for that you must appear before Thranduil." Tinuiel paused, half expecting the elf to protest, but he did not. He bent his head slightly in assent and waited. Tinuiel continued. "But--you helped me and my people in the forest. I shall lead you to Thranduil's thrown and speak on your behalf."

Rûdhchamion stared at Tinuiel. "You would do this thing for me?"

Tinuiel smiled sadly. "I do not lie, Rûdhchamion. And because you have trusted me with both your past and your present, I shall return that trust by telling you something of mine." Tinuiel clenched her fist and looked Rûdhchamion straight in the face. "A long time ago, a party of scouts went to investigate the new evil that was growing in the far corners of our fair wood. Only one returned. My mother." Tinuiel paused, took a deep breath and continued. "She was--changed. I could barely recognize her. The Necromancer had tortured her and then set her free to carry a message. We discovered that the rest of the party was dead. He commanded us to keep silent, or what happened to my mother would happen to us all." Tinuiel swallowed. "My mother died in my arms. The last words that came from her mouth were those of that monster." Tinuiel fell silent. Rûdhchamion expected to see tears in her eyes, but instead he saw a smoldering rage and behind that--a sorrow as deep as his own. He bowed his head.

"Thank you, Lady. You have indeed repaid my trust, and proven yourself wise yet again. Lead me before your King. I am ready."

Tinuiel nodded, and the both of them walked toward the palace and Thranduil.