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Tumunzahar makes Menegroth look like a contract project. Which, the Dwarves assure her, it was. The stonework is astonishingly careful and beautiful, silky to the touch up close while from a distance it gives the impression of stretching on forever above, a sky of stone with crystals for stars. Vast natural cave systems are connected by dozens of perfectly smooth, gently sloped broad stone pathways from which the fall, if she fell, would be several miles down. There are handrails. "We use those to move materials carts," someone explains to her, "we're not going to be reckless."
There's an amphitheater, a place where a hundred of the stone walkways twine around to create space for a hundred thousand people to sit in close proximity, and someone is giving a lecture or a demonstration at the base of it, the seats closest to him filled with eager, tiny, bearded Dwarf-children.
And they spiral down, and down, and down, past waterfalls and egg-sized gemstones left half in the rock and halls of crystal. Everything grows gradually more ornate and more perfectly maintained and the clang of hammers fades behind them. "People say," her guide says, "that we only have a council instead of a single King because there were nine winners of the competition to design the throne so we couldn't just select one person to sit it." And they push open the doors to reveal, indeed, nine thrones so elaborate it would be hard to choose between them, and nine squat bearded people sitting them.
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"Keeping Men out of the forest is a fine goal."
"The Men are very new, we don't meddle in the affairs of Powers, you are very strange. We will consider what to do."
purposeful_glory
"I'll be back in a few days to see how your consideration's going," she says. And she steps out.
Where are those Men she visited earlier, how are they doing?
Where are those Men she visited earlier, how are they doing?
They're mostly the same; gathering things, wandering. They recognize her, and wave, and demonstrate that they remember many of the numbers.
purposeful_glory
Good for them! She is delighted. She will be moving into the area in a few days to teach them more things. Also, they should definitely let her know when she's back if there are any werewolf attacks. She is trying to make those stop.
Huan catches up with her while she's doing this, and they make dismayed sounds about wolves, and attacks. He looks terrifying. There's - something, not blood, but shreds of something that looks like it should not be shredded - in his claws.
purposeful_glory
"This isn't a werewolf and he won't hurt you," Loki says. "He was in a fight with the person who was making the werewolves attack." ... she is tempted to scratch Huan behind the ears but just because he chooses to present himself as a dog does not mean she can suggest such familiarity.
You did well, he says, and starts licking his paws.
purposeful_glory
Thanks. "So now that the fight is over the werewolves may stop, but if they don't I definitely want to know about it," she reiterates to the Men.
They nod obediently.
purposeful_glory
And Loki - presumably with Huan - rejoins the non-forest-demon Elves.
"I have to fly the entire triangle either way, so it doesn't save me any time to go change Maitimo back first or you, but you can probably do more of what you'd be doing anyway while you're birds than he can," she says. "Preferences for which stop I make first?"
"I have to fly the entire triangle either way, so it doesn't save me any time to go change Maitimo back first or you, but you can probably do more of what you'd be doing anyway while you're birds than he can," she says. "Preferences for which stop I make first?"
Let's get him back first, Tyelcormo says. Because I don't get the sense he was coping super well. Can I go Elf so I can give Huan a hug?
And Huan bounds into his arms and licks his face. He laughs delightedly and hugs him and starts running his hands through fur that is very clearly recently regrown.
purposeful_glory
Awwww.
Estimate on how long I have before Thauron's back and pissed off?
Estimate on how long I have before Thauron's back and pissed off?
Tyelcormo answers. "Five years. Maybe ten. Won't be at full power for even longer than that."
He looks exceedingly reluctant, and Huan is clearly not done licking him, but after a minute he holds out his hand. "Go ahead."
Huan whines.
"We'll be home in two days," he says encouragingly, "it's okay."
Huan whines.
"We'll be home in two days," he says encouragingly, "it's okay."
purposeful_glory
Loki rebirds him. She gives them a zoom song.
And she goes to Tumunzahar.
And she goes to Tumunzahar.
There's a swift circling at the door.
He lands on it.
"Why are you apologizing to me?"