[Astrid giggles. She can certainly admire the girl's spirit. In other circumstances she might have made a good ally. It's a shame, really.]

There's no need for that. We'll return you to your brother safe and sound, if everything goes well.

[She shuts the door and locks it behind her. Then she makes her way over to the long table in the center of the room, her long blonde curls bouncing with each step, and pulls out a wrought iron chair for Melissa.]

If you don't mind...?