Ooh, useful. She records it and thanks him delightedly. The whirlwinds weren't really quite enough.

So he'd been told, and the Quendi can weather that sort of thing easier than Men, so he got to work on it.

That's very kind of him! She really appreciates it.

His pleasure! He's heard about her regular visits here from Galadriel; it's good of her.

...Well isn't that vague about what he's heard. "I need breaks anyway, and it's nice here."

"It is. Melian and Thingol have brought Valinor to life in the Outer Lands through only the force of their will, and their people are safe and thriving."

"It's very impressive."

"And my cousin Lúthien is an extraordinary gift." He watches her idly; she's dancing, but not a magic dance. "We were expecting that there'd be no one here if we didn't arrive fast enough."

"Lots of people, not even just here."

"I'm grateful for their resilience and the Enemy's incompetence. Though Círdan tells me they did not have too much longer."

"With any luck it'll be all mopped up in a few years more."

He raises an eyebrow. "Let's hope so."

"I'm working on it."

"Very diligently, by all accounts." His eyes flicker over to Maedhros. Perhaps I shouldn't confess to receiving any. But yes. We've heard that you are working day and night, and that Ulmo thinks it should work.

I am and he did.

Then thank you and all inspiration. And I'm sure Doriath is honored to be where you choose to spend your breaks. Though you're here for him, no?

I visit with Lúthien too.

He smiles. Of course. I can't wait until it's possible for everyone who isn't a teleporter or has something worth inconveniencing one with to get from place to place; I'd spend more time here, and I'd love to meet Men.

Men are turning out pretty nicely. I think they'll best come into their own when they're not wedged into a predominantly Quendi city, but they've found some niches.

Yes, I can imagine that wouldn't be what's best for them. And my cousins, who are very talented at many things including the running of cities, run them rather tightly, Men would probably do much better among my mother's people.

Possible. It would have been nice if their original home had been more defensible but at the time I couldn't see Maiar who didn't want to be seen, there wasn't time to build one of those sigil walls up to defensible height - it just made more sense to consolidate. They'll probably opt to separate out again when defensibility isn't such a concern. I might find them their own planet.

I'd be grieved if being on separate planets turned out to be the best way for Quendi and Men to live in harmony.

Well, it'll depend on what they want. I didn't set myself up as their queen, I think that would have been a mistake with a young species. They don't dislike Quendi or anything, though there is the occasional cultural collision and the economic integration's awkward. They get along great with Dwarves.

Economic integration will be less of a concern when the war's ended as well.

What do you mean?