He's acting in the Outer Lands too. I don't want to say much. What's going on here?

Well, the Valar are deciding what to do. People have been going to Valmar, to wait, to see what they come up with, to be closer if - they're saying Melkor and Ungoliant fled together across the Helcaraxe. For Endorë. They're going to make the mountains taller - you could come back -

Everyone's gone to Valmar?

Not everyone. Some people scattered. If you're spread out there's not much reason to expect Melkor to come after you, right?  - he was going for Finwë. In Tirion. Some other people are dead too but I think he was the target. 

Sounds right.

Some people wanted to leave after you. They're headed to Alqualondë, I think, to try to negotiate passage. If it's not safe -

Who's leading them?

Nolofinwë.

Mmhmm. Okay. I might talk to him but there are other people I should talk to first. Please don't tell anyone I was here; we think Melkor had spies in the city. 

Melkor was in the city, Maitimo.

Yes, but possibly in addition to that. I don't know. I'd just rather be careful. You're with Aulë?

Yes. We're fine. Tyelpe's upset to be left out. 

We're going to figure something out. Pick up everyone who wants to fight, at least. Maybe evacuate everyone, I don't know. Tyelpe should get all his books together and expect to not have much notice.

All right. 

Is Ambarto -

Fine. Father gave him the shield-thing Leareth made us. 

- love you. Bye. 

:Done?: All of Leareth’s senses are in alert, scanning the night.

- this might be the first time he’s been outside and alert enough to really look at the stars. They’re different from his. A reminder that he’s a very, very long way from home.

Done.

Gate up, through, Gate down, fast and neat and done. He didn't see or sense anything. (He is not certain, completely, that this means nothing was there, but it seems remote that something could have gotten a good enough view of the blank cave wall to guess their location). 

Leareth leans against the wall, catches his breath – a nearly thousand-mile Gate on reserves alone is a lot even if it's a small door-sized one up for about ten seconds.

:I caught some of that: he admits. (Most of his attention was on their surroundings). :Finwë...?: 

Of course. Can't have a succession crisis if the King can just refuse to step down until you settle your differences.

:I am sorry: Leareth has a number of questions but none of them feel right to ask, right this second. 

:That was your mother?: he goes with, finally. :She is alive: 

In Aulë's domain. I can't think of anywhere safer.

Leareth nods. :Do you think Nolofinwë will contest your father for the throne?: If he makes it across the ocean. Which seems dubious, at this point. 

I'm not sure. Not unless my father does something ill-considered, but.