Oh. I apologize, then. Sorry, I might be a little sensitive on that subject.

Your answer was astoundingly civil for the way you interpreted my comment.

Thanks. I'm practicing for when I meet Thingol and have to go through an entire conversation without once using the words 'linguistic blackmail'.

I have been doing politics a long time and was suitably impressed.

You're an easier person to be diplomatic to than some.

Good. Please tell her the context if you tell her what I said to so test your diplomacy.

Illia? Of course. I tell her everything.

My sister and I could say that of each other once. It's a precious thing. Do treasure it.

Illia is the most important thing to me in the whole world and I love her with my whole heart, she assures him.

Good! Uncomplicated unconditional love is one of the resources scarcest to heads of state. Even magic ones.

I'm so useful.

We'd noticed. I am ready to head back at your convenience; thank you for the tour.

Yeah, I don't want to leave the city too much before I've gotten teleportation worked out, but if the Enemy manages to assault Beth Miqlat while I'm taking you home I'll make a straw hat covered in garish wax fruits and eat it.

I think it's as safe as distance from Angband and the numerous forces in the way and our palantir scrying and several people who are capable in their own right can possibly make it.

Yep.

I do think the Enemy'd have no chance, or I wouldn't have suggested she do it.

Yeah, it's not like she couldn't have done this after the war, when it comes down to it.

Well, that was what I had in mind at first, but she was eager to do it now and I thought that was probably part of precisely the differences between humans and Elves which were the reasons we shouldn't be ruling you.

Well, that's certainly true enough.

And she'll do a good job.

Yes she will.

And she has whatever help we can offer, though I get the sense you're going to be reluctant to take advantage of that.

I am, and expect Illia to be, reluctant to allow ourselves to rely upon it, but if something comes up and it doesn't obviously damage public perception of our independence I don't see why not.

We are pretty good at working with 'we can only accept your help if it doesn't look like we're doing that', at least. Or with 'we need the help to be sold to the public this way', or so forth.

Family drama?