It's... I'm good with people too, and that's an explicit job where I'm from, I'm used to working with other people who're good at it. So it's not that hard to notice when they're deflecting, or trying to lead me away from a topic, or refusing to actually answer a question. It's not always obvious why, I'm pretty sure sometimes it really is that they just mostly don't want things and are practicing hiding that, but when they obviously do want something, and want it badly, and are trying to hide it anyway...

He's also a Feanorian. They are very averse to looking weak or admitting mistakes or being dependent on others even in the best of circumstances, and these aren't. Maitimo's favorite form of interaction is with people who are utterly devoted to him but where he can do much more for them than they for him. 

...maybe.

The thing they need is for me to stay away from you.

...really? I am pretty skeptical of that. Did he say so?

No. But they all but outright refused to say they didn't. And wanting someone you think is an agent of the Enemy to stay away from your partner is reasonable under any circumstances. She isn't touching him. She's kind of... huddling. And doing her best not to look guilty, and only sort of succeeding.

If he thinks you're an agent of the Enemy he thinks I am too. He thinks I'm someone impersonating his friend, not his friend in the flesh. I expect he's apprehensive about what tortures of the Enemy would involve having someone impersonating me around.

...pretty sure not. You haven't seen how they've been reacting to you, it doesn't make sense. But - they haven't heard me swear, yet, unless their siblings told them they don't know I can. And that I think settles it as either really a hallucination or really not, and I think in either of those cases they'll be okay. I should go do that. She's considerably more relaxed at this realization.

He's going to have a lot of emotions around me regardless because I once trusted him and he betrayed me to die on the ice. There's lots going on there. I really don't think it's that he objects to us working together.

Anything I should know?

No. Just - expect him to be emotionally complicated, don't over-interpret it.

All right. Hug! Hugs are a thing that can be, now, apparently, at least brief ones.

She considers for a few moments. I don't think I want to wait on letting them know I can swear, but then I can come back and look for some places for you?

Hugs are completely okay! He cannot imagine a Maitimo objecting to him hugging someone who will be more productive and happy if hugged. That is just a categorical thing about Maitimo. He tries to communicate it.

Sounds great! Thanks!

All right. Be right back.

And here she is back at the cave.

He is healing himself again, singing softly.

She sits by him and waits for him to come to a stopping point.

And after a while he looks up.

Hey. How're you doing?

I think I'll be able to write in a few days.

Good! ...I never did finish enspelling your hand, did I. I can do that now if you'd like.

Now is as good a time as any.

Spells: are cast.

Thank you. He tries to remember and send gratitude.

She grins. You're welcome.

It occurs to me that with all the running around I've been doing I forgot to tell you, your siblings wanting it as the password for their portals was proof enough for me, I can swear that I don't work for the enemy now - not completely reassuring, I know, but it seems to help at least. Want to hear?

I think that this is a hallucination, not that the Enemy actually has someone with your capabilities, or the war'd be lost already. But sure.

Yeah, but it at least rules that out; one less thing to worry about. "I swear I have never served the Enemy."