The SONGS of SPRING

CONFESSION

It has been two days since Beren got nailed by the First Guard, though he knew he could have earned his freedom through his father's name he did not even pray for his coming. At seven he lost his mother to sickness and his father got himself a second wife who bore him a son and two daughters. Beren barely knew them, for he grew up away from home since then. And he had grown distant to his father and siblings, for even Bergil did his hardest to win him back, duty took most of his time and Tilda was only kind when there were eyes looking.

Elboron locked him up at the King's dungeon to make his escape impossible, as he had proven himself extremely skilled at busting out many times before. Beren knew, not that he had assumed Lord Faramir had grown weary of him, that his chance to freedom was slim now that his greatest of enemies is about to become the next Steward of Gondor.

But all the whilst he would yank the iron bars, shouting at the guards who never took notice of him. There was one who pass by his cell to drop his rations then leaves quietly as if it was a sin to speak with him. And late that night an unexpected visitor came to his prison. At length the Elf stood at the shadows where Beren could not see, battling in his thoughts if he should confront the outlaw.

'If you came to see me, be gone!' Beren said incurious. 'I don't need your pity.'

'I did not come to see you, I came for her.'

Beren stirred and clawed to the iron bars, his grim face brightened and his tone excited. 'If you are looking for her, good Lord, then you have come to the wrong place. Tell me, where is she? Is she safe?'

Only then Legolas stepped out of the shadows. 'Who is she? Where did she come from?'

'Raen. Her name is Raen Vanyawen.'

'Vanyawen?' he thought to himself. 'Who gave her a Sindarin name?'

That moment Beren felt the need to stop asking about her, or telling any more than what he had told. 'You did not come to give me tidings, be off Elf. I will tell nothing.'

'You should tell me everything,' Legolas inched himself closer. 'Here I am standing now where an Elflord should not, sneaked behind the King's guards at a very suspicious hour to visit an outlaw destined to die? If you think I bring ill purpose to you and to your companion, your thinking I do not understand.'

'I don't see a reason to trust you.'

'Take heed, Beren son of Bergil, Elboron will be Steward in five days. He is a very dangerous and unpredictable man. I chanced to know you owe him something so great he wants to take your head by any reasons, true or fabricated he would accuse you of treason.'

'I owe him nothing but his pride. I may have rebelled against the elder's will but I am no rebel.'

'And which words the King would believe? That of an outlaw or his Steward? Even with your father's plea he will not listen.'

'And will he listen to you?'

'That is likely. Yet I would not speak so plainly and ridicule the new Steward. If I am to do such thing I should have a worthy reason. And you can give me that Beren. I am Legolas Elflord of Ithilien, if you have heard that name then it should mean even a little.'

At length they eyed each other as their breath drew deep and heavy. Beren knew, for the Elf's name was no stranger to him, and he made up his mind and said. 'Should I tell you what you want to hear? Or should I say what you should know. Either ways you will not like it.'