Emma and I see Elven society as very patriarchal in general (whether that's right or wrong is up for debate, and we have characters on both sides of the argument.) The nobility especially seem to hold to more rigid standards than the 'common folk'. Melian loves Elu, for all his faults and flaws (and there are many, pride being chief among them), but she also recognizes how her people view her place in society, and won't openly argue with him. True, she's as far above him as Luthien is above Beren, and knows it. But she won't interfere with Elu's free will decisions. Could she order Elu to recant his decree? Sure. Could she coerce him to? Of course. But she won't because she feels in so doing, she'd be no better than her Lords' Fallen Brother. She counsels Elu, but she won't command him. And she certainly won't argue with him publicly. If their people see them divided, they'd lose faith in their King.

She did, however, indicate subtle disagreement when she called Luthien "my heir" instead of "the prisoner". Luthien caught it. Most others might not have. Elu obviously didn't notice.

As others in the story noted, though, Elu's afraid to lose Luthien. That's the real issue. He's lost some of his loved ones already - Olwe, his nearest brother in age, abandoned him to follow the Belain. In Emma's and my-verse, they have parents who died at Cuivienen. Elu's not keen on losing his only child, especially to a Mortal. (It's worth noting that after this, his opinion of Mortals will change rather drastically, and perhaps Melian can see that coming, to a point. This is F.A. 465 or thereabouts - just eight years later, Elu will accept the nine-year-old Turin son of Hurin as his foster-son.)

Anyway, Melian will certainly do her best to help Luthien, as much as she can without outright defying Elu. She loves him too much, despite everything, to see him fail. And perhaps she hopes she can bring Elu around.

Thank you so much for the review, Grundy. Sorry for the rambling reply, but I hope it makes sense! I hope to continue this story soon, but how soon is open to question.

I'm also curious to know what you thought of Earendil and Idril at the beginning, in the unrelated story bit :)