Mygwainor leads them out a side door and into the wastes - and south, as she did last time, until they come to where Finrod will be breaking from their party.

"You'll be all right from here?"

"I think so. You two take care, alright?"

"We will."

"Take care yourself," she says with a small smile.

"I will."

And he - and his group of refugees - are off.

"Just the two of us for a while again, love."

"Whatever shall we do with ourselves."

"I think we can afford to take a little time for ourselves on the way back to Doriath."

"Sounds lovely." Kiss!

Kiss!

She really can't kiss her wife enough.

Seems quite impossible.

Not that she'll let that deter her from trying.

It's an excellent boundary to push at.

Mmmmgood.

You know, in the default timeline, the Quest actually takes a year longer than it did here...

Then surely there will be no fault in dawdling. It's all for the good of the timeline.

Exactly! 

They should find somewhere nice to stay for a while, then.

She has a few ideas...

Most wonderful wife.

Then it'll be a rather relaxed Luthien and 'Beren' who return to Doriath at about the actual proper place in the timeline.

Totally prepared for whatever her father might want to throw at them.

Her friends among the guards are very relieved at her return - and warn her her father's been in a mood.

And then they lead her into Doriath, moving swiftly through its forests until they reach the gates - and from there to the throne room, as court is in session right now. 

Thingol appears wan, stressed, and he rises from his throne in a sharp motion when Luthien is announced. "My daughter," he says, voice tight. "You are returned to me."

"We have, Father." She takes out the wrapped Silmaril. "My betrothed comes to present the bride-price you set to her."