Melkor extends his hand.

"Shake hands," Kib prompts Aydanci.

Aydanci clasps the outstretched hand.

He can fix most of the skin damage, that's easy. He could do things about the heart, but he doesn't. He can slow aging by a factor of a thousand. There you are.

"Thank you!"

My pleasure. Do you want to stay and talk? I've been interesting in your progress on what we previously discussed.

"The prophecy stuff? I collected a bunch of things, it turns out Fëanáro already had Silmarils in the works and is revising the design to make them less contentious. Other puzzles remain puzzling."

Do you want more on the internal politics? I can give you a great deal on the internal politics, if you think you can handle it well.

"I'll certainly do my best."

And you trust your friend?

"Implicitly, but I have not explained the prophecies business to him yet and he has less local politics context."

Maybe some other time, then.

"Okay. I can come back later."

Pleasure meeting your friend. If you're going to petition the Valar emphasize how unacceptable it'd be for either of you to ever remarry.

Aydanci frowns. He - did not think his private thoughts distinction flickered at all, there.

Melkor nods gravely. I'll be more careful. Good skill to you both.

"Thank you."

Come back when it's a good time to talk about Noldorin politics.

Who will wave at them both agreeably.

"Sorry about that," Kib says to Aydanci, and "Can we squirrel him away in my room now, rather than relying on everybody he runs into to be polite...?"

"Arranged," Maitimo says. "There was some confusion but it is being handled."

Confusion: is escalating. Maitimo is calmly explaining that since Men can be reborn after death clearly the Elven understandings of things does not apply here, does it? Yes, their conduct would be appalling for Elves.