Interesting.

Optimistically this is because she's noticed I'm useful for the war effort. Pessimistically it's just that she doesn't want to feel like a bad person.

And trying to hurt you doesn't make her feel like a bad person?

Trying to hurt me is necessary to not feel like a bad person, otherwise she's betraying the memory of the people she's grieving. But hurting me would not feel great either. So she ineffectually tries.

Ah.

I'm not angry with her. I would be angry if she hurt Findekáno to get to me but so far she hasn't.

Nod.

He sighs. And soon it will all be over and I will tell my father I'm taking Findekáno off to a vacation planet and see what happens.

Soon as I can make it.

You have rather stronger motivations.

That doesn't mean this one can't go on the heap with the rest.

End the evil god, avenge the torture of your friends, save the world, and make my sex life simpler.

And mine, oh stars.

He shakes his head. It was good seeing you as always.

And eight weeks pass uneventfully.

She stops at New Mithrim. Maybe they really do miss her.

They do! They express great delight to see her and regret she stops by so rarely.

Well, here she is. Hello everybody. Need anything?

They're managing. They're in contact with the hidden city, they have all the latest defenses up, food's going to be a bit short because of the ash but not too bad.

She can shoo some ash as long as she's here. Away with you, ash.

Celebrimbor comes by and does it occasionally too. Poor kid. Thanks, though.

They are welcome.

Does she want to do anything? Sailing race? Poetry?

Not to her taste - and she still does not actually speak any of the local languages and this is not the bunch that learned Asgardian - but they're too kind. Anybody want to spar?