Imliss pets Huan.

"...I wonder if we smell different, now."

"You do, yeah."

"Mm. How?"

"He can tell that the Enemy did something to you. I don't know if you'd also smell differently underlying that."

"Oh. I was expecting to smell like wolf."

"Yes, but not like - a normal wolf -"

"That makes sense. Normal wolves aren't this big."

"Or that obviously the work of the Enemy." Hug.

"It's kind of worrying that it's that obvious! He never got anywhere near us! ...I don't think so, anyway."

"I believe you."

"I mean, I'm not saying that means it's safe. I don't think we came to his attention--or more relevantly his probably-a-Maia servant's--so I don't think we're a deliberate trap for you but that doesn't mean it's impossible that werewolves have a hijacking function just in case and they wouldn't gleefully use it if they found out later that there were wolves in the Feanorian camp."

"Yeah. The Enemy's clever - 's how he got Maitimo, we underestimated him -"

"I don't want to be exiled forever but I don't want to be a tool for him to hurt you either."

"You're not gonna be exiled forever. We'll figure something out. But first - I brought food, you should both eat -"

Yeah, that's a very good idea.

"Does anyone have any idea at all what might be figured out or are you just being optimistic?"

"They have no idea but I'm not leaving my wife alone." Food.

Ah, but is it food that can be conveniently eaten while hug, is the question.

Well, somewhat conveniently.

Meh. Good enough.

I love you. I missed you.

Yeah.

Got any short-term plans?

Feed you, hold you, hear the whole story in more detail, see if we can see all the way out there with the palantiri -

Okay. She leans into him more and closes her eyes; she really was tired. Do you want any particular details first...?

Not really, whatever you think's important...

When you tried to convince me that the problem with the Ice was that the Nolofinweans crossed instead of that the boats burned I felt like you only cared that I had been hurt if it was convenient for you. I know it's untrue and unfair but that's how it felt. And I--don't want to argue with you about the Ice, ever, because you can make all the logical, reasonable arguments you want and I can't, not because I'm so in the wrong that there don't exist any but because I can't think of them over the memory of the roaring wind and screams of the dying and the all-encompassing bone-deep cold. So not only is it unpleasant in and of itself it feels like you're taking advantage of my impaired ability to formulate arguments.