I agree...so why, then, can I not withhold them? [She sounds miserable about it, but she has not fallen into sullen silence.]

He feared I would use a weapon to slay the lot of them, that arming me would risk his family . Then, as he spoke again, claimed we were kin and that he loved me.

[She sighs and ceases recounting.]

Thranduil still harbors distaste for me...for what they did to his people. Even my husband could not truly forgive me for being their relation. I blame neither of them for their grudge, it was well earned, even if I had no hand in that.

I have never truly been able to cleave myself from the lot of them, not in ten thousand years, so this is not so surprising. I am simply weary of it all...to call you cousin is infitely simpler, and I cherish that.

Please do not accuse me of perfidy, at least not unduly, it would break my heart again.