Betrayal-Again part 2
Lúthien whirled around, but her thoughts whirled faster. Daeron had betrayed her. He had truly betrayed her trust a second time, something so painful that she could not allow herself to think about it just now. All her hatred was instead focused on the elf before her, her own father. Fleetingly, she thought of the knife that hung by her side. He would not expect that, and would not defend himself if that meant harming her, either. One quick stab, almost painless, and then, you see, I am the one to make the rules, and can do as I please. The next moment had her stumble back, appalled by her own thoughts. Had she truly come so far as to think of murdering her closest kin? She, who had grieved for cousins she had never known, and whole-heartedly shared her father’s and uncle’s hatred towards the kinslayers? Had she just now truly considered killing her sire? Daeron, clearly seeking to steady her, placed his hands on her back, and she snarled at him. “Don’t touch me! You… I loved you, ever! Since we were elflings, you were my very best friend. I were ever dear to me as a brother. I trusted you. I forgave you. I thought you cared for me, truly cared for me.” “I do, Lúthien, I care for you more than I care for my own life…” he pleaded, but Lúthien wouldn’t even let him finish, drowning his words in a derisive laugh. “Sure. Just as much as my dear father, ey?” Once more, she turned to the King, who stood still as a statue, his expression impossible to read even for Lúthien. “I know you are angry, and also how unjust this must feel to you, but you need to see sense. I don’t know what this human did to you to make you act…” Again, Lúthien’s hand longed for the hilt of the knife. “What he did to me? Did to me? You…” But words failed her, indignation striking her momentarily dumb. Again, her father spoke, just as evenly as before. “You will not go after Beren. He knows the task. If he indeed is the man he believes himself to be, than he will be true to his oath.” “And you think you will hinder me? The daughter of Melian the Maia?” Lúthien thought she saw her father wince ever so slightly at her words, but if so, he swiftly recovered. “You will not leave my realm. Ai Lúthien, do not make me lead you back to Menegroth like a prisoner…” She laughed mirthlessly. “Like the prisoner I am, you mean?” “If there is no other way in which I can keep my only child safe, then yes.” Silence spiralled horribly between them, until finally, Lúthien broke it. “Fine then.” she said, tears of anger and despair falling from her eyes. “I shall bow to the law of the King. Put me in chains, if you will, and watch me bleed to death from the hurt you have inflicted upon me. But make no mistake, lord, you will bleed with me, for I am your daughter no longer!” She meant to wound as much as she possibly could, and it pleased her greatly that she knew her words to find their mark. As for Daeron… she turned once more, surveying the minstrel haughtily. “Get yourself gone from under my eyes, Daeron. Once and for all.” And with that, she followed the king back to Menegroth in silence, her heart aching as never before. She had finally lost them all.