Taboos Were Made To Be Broken (January 2017) by Kaylee Arafinwiel

Interlude in the Poppy Garden

The next few chapters are a sequel to "The Steward's Tale" but shift POV away from Elmo. These are co-written between Emma and myself. The tale of Beren and Luthien continues in Doriath...I3 - Acceptance and Change.

When Elmo had gone, Elu and Melian left by another door, leaving the throne room deserted. Well - nearly deserted. It seemed everyone had forgotten Lord Galadhon.

He stood quietly at the back of the room, deep in thought. What was it his royal uncle had wrought by laying such a heavy charge on the Mortal? The young Man could not possibly fulfill such a task alone. Yet, he was brave-hearted and unselfish, and Galadhon found himself hoping that Beren could win his uncle's favour.

That would be no easy task.

Still deep in thought, the heir of Elmo departed the throne room himself, not bothering to follow his father. He needed time to think - time to consider what could be done for Lúthien. He found himself wandering through Menegroth's halls, and Galadhon ended up outside the gate of Lúthien's favoured garden, awash with poppies and niphredil. The gate was ajar; he opened it wider and glided in.

Lúthien.

He had expected she would flee here. Galadhon crossed the garden to his cousin, and enfolded her in his embrace. Soon enough, his father would come to fetch her, but for now, he would do what he could. "I am here, Lúthien. I promise."

Lúthien looked into Galadhon's eyes, her own brimming with tears. "It is not good enough, cousin," she said quietly. "It will not be good enough. Nothing is ever good enough for Adar. He has completely rejected Beren, and now he has sent him off on this...this mission to die, to be rid of him. I cannot let this happen. He wishes to lock me up like a pretty bird in a cage, Galadhon. For what crime? Loving the son of Barahir? Adar is a hypocrite - look at him and Naneth! This is not right. Nothing about this is fair."

Galadhon knew. Of course, he knew. Everyone but Elu knew, he thought. "It is not fair," he agreed quietly. "You are not alone, Lúthien. Nobody can hear this and think it is fair."

"And yet everyone will allow it, because Adar is the King and he must be obeyed," Lúthien said bitterly. "Such a place as Adar wishes must be built by Naneth. No one else could do it." She bowed her head. "And she will do it, because Adar commands it. A Maia, commanded by one of the Edhil. I hope Adar is pleased with himself, for she is as far above him as he sets me above my Beren."

There was nothing Galadhon could say to that. "You will do Beren no favours by disobeying the King now," he said instead, quietly.

"I hope Beren has the sense to go to Nargothrond, then," Lúthien said quietly. "Until Adar comes to his senses, Doriath is closed to him, and only Finrod would offer him aid." She knew Finrod would, too, and their Noldo cousin, best of the Lechenn, she thought, was the only one outside Doriath powerful enough to aid him. "Very well, cousin. I will play the part of the dutiful daughter. But if my heart tells me Beren needs my aid, I will find a way."

"Yes, you will," Galadhon agreed. "And I say again, cousin. You are not alone. You will not be alone."

"Thank you," Lúthien said quietly, giving Galadhon a tremulous smile. She felt alone, but her cousin's attempt at reassurance heartened her a little. "I appreciate that. Will you stay with me, cousin, until...?" She trailed off, unsure what to say. She had no idea just how her father intended to lock her up in the tree, though she expected he, or his guards, had no intention of being rough with her. She was the princess after all.

"Of course. No doubt I will be expected to ride in the entourage when..." Galadhon couldn't finish his sentence either. "Well. I will stay with you."

Lúthien nodded. "Thank you, Galadhon. I appreciate it." She nestled into her cousin's strong embrace, glad to feel his arms around her, as he held her in silence. She only stirred when footsteps sounded outside the gate and looked round.

Melian. And Elmo. So, it was time. Lúthien dropped her gaze, feeling a stab of betrayal as she beheld Melian standing there. The guards standing behind the Steward and the Queen didn't help matters.

Galadhon drew back from Lúthien, and looked wordlessly at his father and aunt  just as Elu appeared. The King cleared his throat meaningfully, and Lúthien raised her head to look at her father. "Adar..."

"Come," Elu said quietly, not - quite - looking at his daughter. Lúthien sighed, and pressed close to Galadhon's side as they obeyed. Galadhon's hand rested on her back, a comforting presence, as she moved ever closer toward her doom.