Doesn't surprise me. It's probably a good thing, overall.

I think so.

Most things would be worth it. But this hasn't been as hard on her as it could have been.

What would make it particularly hard on her, do you think?

If she had reacted badly to having to kill large numbers of orcs.

We could probably make totally civilian use of you two. I admit I appreciate not having the constraint.

Given the entire rest of my sister's personality if she reacted badly to killing orcs the result would be a moderately traumatized Odette, not a civilian one. But I appreciate the sentiment.

Letting the war erode one for four hundred fifty years is a really bad idea, when it starts affecting people I try to change courses.

I imagine I could have talked her down before four hundred and fifty years were up. I don't imagine I could have talked her down quickly by human standards.

I don't think we have four hundred fifty more anyway. The Enemy's getting stronger.

So's Odette. So's your cousin. So're you, if you're practicing. We have to believe it'll be enough.

I am an eternal optimist. I went off to Angband alone to rescue my cousin, you know.

I do know. We'll get through this.

Alive and in - pieces that can be reassembled, if not in one piece.

And even if someone happens not to be alive, we can fix it.

You have very suited talents and very good timing.

I am honestly glad someone tried to murder me, it's a little weird.

It certainly seems to have worked out to the benefit of all involved. 

...Everyone here, anyway. Although I guess you could argue that the people who think we're dead now and are upset by this weren't involved.

It is my sincere hope Odette will someday find it quite trivial to return you to your world.

I think she will. I--hope our parents are--still okay. When that happens.

I know the feeling very well, and I am sorry. I hope so too.

I also hope Mother doesn't do anything regrettable that wouldn't result in her not being okay.

Is that likely?

Could magic tell them you're both alive and relatively safe?

If it could reach here, but I don't think that's likely.

Y'know how your cousins have been comparing my sister to their dad? She inherited a lot of the relevant traits from our mom.