Sigh. Sorry. I wish I'd been stronger for you.

I don't think being stronger helps with Angband. Just means more pieces to sharpen and turn inward.

I'm not sure what you mean.

You weren't weak. I would have hurt you no matter what you were like and what you needed, because that is what the Enemy broke me and shaped me to do.

Oh.

 I don't care? I still wish I'd been strong enough to handle it and keep going. I don't care that it hurt.

And I sometimes hug people even though it hurts. Sort of same reason, maybe.

Yeah, okay. And she goes to be hugged, letting him lead the actual interaction.

And he hugs her. I don't pretend for all of you, I pretend for me. 

Nod. It's still hard to watch, sometimes, knowing. I want things to be better for you. But I think I'll feel better about it now.

Things are good. I can help with the war.

Mmhmm. She rests her forehead very gently on his chest. If that's what you want.

It is.

Okay.

Hugs.

Yeah, those. She relaxes into the hug and promptly starts trembling again.

He hugs her and waits patiently.

It takes a while, but eventually she calms down.

I think - what do you know, about Doriath, could we go ask about what happened? Not even to know if it's safe to do that again; to know for Angband.

I know it's a hidden kingdom and doesn't let people in because they're afraid of the Enemy. That's about all I know so far.

All right. If you can find out more, I'd like to see if they'll talk to us. Or if there's anything else that that might've been, if there's a way to find out about it.

Absolutely.

Nod.

We can get those scouts sent, if you want.

Yeah, let's do that first and I can ask the locals for more about Doriath.

She nods, and goes to sit in a different chair. Whenever they're ready.

And a scouting team is selected and brought over!

And she loads them up with spells and sends them off, and makes portals for herself and Maitimo to watch through.