Her path through the forest was a swift one, and she did not walk along it, Saeros after all would perhaps harry the Noldo for a short while but soon he would turn his cruel attentions back to her something she had no intentions of suffering any longer than needed. The further she got into the Girdle the closer she was to other elves, and Saeros would not bother her in the company of elves other than his friends, it would reflect poorly on him. She crossed the bridge and was relieved that she had not seen him yet when suddenly she heard laughter from behind her.

"Fleet footed Melviriel, trying to outrun the deer perhaps?" It was Saeros he had caught up with her as had his friends, they had to have been all but running to catch her she figured with the speed she had been traveling at. However they were not laden with game, even if it was two small wild hens it was still more than any of them were carrying.

"No just you and your tongue." She replied dryly. The Noldo was right she did have the will to deal with it when she must, however when she could disappear from their sight and weep for her wounds she did.

"Come now little Nando, surely you have better manners than that. Why else would King Thingol take your family in?" Saeros said as the group all but cut her off from her path. They failed to remember though that she was no fine lady of the courts and quickly she began treading through undergrowth as if it were the path.

"It is dangerous outside of the Girdles, and my father fights for King Thingol." She hissed angrily making her way around their blockade and back to the path. The path was her best bet for finding other elves, hopefully those that were not friendly with Saeros.

"Your father does, you though are a waste of effort, last I heard you can't cook, clean, sew, sing, and your arm is far too weak to be of use in battle." He said grabbing at her left arm. She jerked away hard and glared at him, however a good amount of it was true, she could not sew or sing or dance like the ladies of the court. Her mother could and had tried to teach her. She could clean and cook, as could any elf, was it the finest meals in the courts? No but they were edible and hearty, and she was a woman, training the same way that men did. It was all but unheard of. Many knew how to wield weapons, but trained to fight in wars?

"I do my part well enough, it is not as if I am trying to win your affections, I'd prefer if I did not have to deal with any of your attention at all they are utterly useless and a waste of my time." She muttered mostly to herself however Saeros heard her and snarled angrily.

"How dare you say such a thing to a member of the Kings council?" She had not been expecting it but she found herself shoved backwards and she stood for a moment like an animal that had been caught in a snare. "I should tell the King of your insolence and see what he does to you." Melviriel looked for an opening to bolt but there was none, save for down the path back out towards the Girdle itself and as soon as she saw it, it was closed by the other elves that were with Saeros.

She remained silent as she was circled, Saeros was in her face looking down on her though she did her best to avoid his gaze entirely looking past him and the elves he was with in an attempt to see if there was anyone further down the path, her ears straining t hear if there was anyone coming.

"I doubt he would bother with you for your tongue, except I think I should tell him of your cavorting with the Noldo. We all know his thoughts on them since he discovered the reason and the means of their return. "Saeros grabbed her by her face just as she swore she heard footsteps on the path. "He would send you from Doriath faster than your father could plead your case."

"Plead her case for what Saeros?" Melviriel shut her eyes and relaxed, she knew the deep voice that broke Saeros' grip upon her and he immediately stepped away as did his friends. Beleg, a friend of her father, though perhaps not best friends he had shown her a few times how to use a bow when he had happened upon her with her father teaching her to use a bow.

"Speaking with one of the Noldo outside the Girdle, who knows secrets she was giving to the kin slayer." Saeros said raising his chin. "Probably having him protect her while she is out pretending to hunt in exchange for it."

At that there was a murmur from the guard that Beleg was with but their leader gave a laugh.

"You would have me believe that this woman doesn't know how to hunt and defend herself outside of the Girdle?" He said setting a hand on Melviriel's shoulder, before taking the hens in her hand and looking at them.

"Noldo prefer their swords to bows, and these are clean kills through their necks a small target on hens this size, how many of us could strike an orc through the neck?" He asked turning towards his men, most of them shook their heads or shrugged. "They are also bled properly. I should think Saeros, that I would rather have this defenceless girl with me on a mission than you. Her aim is truer, and she would not get us all killed with her boasting while she was not paying attention." Beleg said handing back the hens and Melviriel felt very small, despite the fact that she had just been paid a wonderful compliment by one of the greatest archers that she had ever known. This was the first time though that he had actually caught Saeros in the act of harassing her. Saeros stepped back as Beleg stepped forward.

"Now run along to the King, and let him know that I will be coming to speak to him on your behaviour towards your kin."

"She is no kin of mine or yours!" Saeros huffed indignantly.

"She is Nando just as you are, is she not? Or do you try to forget that you are not originally a follower of King Thingol?" At this Saeros deflated entirely and stepped back. "Run along Saeros and the rest of you as well. I have seen enough of you to last me an age as far as I am concerned, one day your words will find you your doom." Beleg snapped as the group ran off. Melviriel turned and bowed her head slightly.

"Thank you Beleg Cuthalion. Your words were over kind." She said softly giving him a small smile.

"Hardly, I watched you practice with your father often enough to know that were you a boy I'd have had you at my side on several missions already." He said giving her shoulder a firm pat. "I would be tempted to do so anyways but while I may have the stronger arm, your father would likely kill me for endangering you. That is why he brought you to Doriath after all." At that Melviriel blushed slightly. "And there you are! Proving indeed you are a girl! Blushing at praise rather than puffing up!" He said with a laugh glancing down the path making sure that Saeros and his group were long gone.

"Take care of yourself, your father would have my head if he knew I encouraged you more than he does, and if Saeros bothers you further let me know, I will drag him before Thingol and teach him a lesson in manners." He said motioning for the group to get moving; they were after all on their way out to hunt down a group of orcs that had been being particularly troublesome as of late further to the south. "We must go, but I will expect to hear about this Noldo if Saeros was speaking the truth, after all if none of the Sindar are catching your fancy I must find out what this Noldo did to get you to speak to him so I can instruct some of the soldiers as to what is required to gain your affections." With that he turned and was off with the rest of the soldiers leaving her blushing like a fool hoping desperately that he was not entirely serious.