[Excitement, joy] Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! I've never known anyone who got a soul-bond and the elf version is probably different anyways, what's it like? Or. Sorry, that's probably really personal, isn't it.

Little bit? Don't know. I can tell when he's in danger and I can always squeeze his hand if I want, no matter where he is - that's the feeling, it doesn't exactly work mechanically - and I think my songs do more, not sure.

That sounds lovely. And useful. Do you just know you'll be able to tell or has he been in danger some time in the last few months?

No, we've been safe, I just know.

That's good. I talked with the Noldor high king, he is considering sending some troops here to make sure it stays that way. They seem trustworthy and I'm probably going to continue teaching them magic.

Dishonest people usually seem honest.

And yet. They are on the front lines against an Enemy that is objectively terrible. I've asked both groups of Noldor what they think of the others, I've asked your father, I'm planning to ask some of the humans under them if I can get to them in time. So far nobody has given me anything more concrete than "I don't like them" or "Once they got into a fight with some other elves and I kind of liked the other elves" or "They may or may not be treating their client states approximately as poorly as everyone always treats their client states". And that's not enough to justify keeping from them the tools they might need to win this war. Or at least to minimize the damages.

If they can defeat Melkor it's worth it. But - the oath isn't just generic unlikeableness -

And they are overly committed to enforcing their own property rights, which would be a big hangup in most situations I've encountered in my everyday life but really this is not one where it's worth worrying overmuch about. I'm not planning to teach them exclusively, just prioritizing them because of their greater need.

Worst case, the oath is solvable with seven murders and that makes it one of the most tractable problems on our plate.

...okay.

It's not a very elvish approach, I know. And it's not my first plan for dealing with the situation, but.

The war will probably be over in five years and we can give them their fucking rocks and the problem is solved.

You really believe that?

I think... well, your plan will probably work. And can be executed in that time. I suspect it will need support, and have no idea how wars generally go, but armies can probably be mobilized, etc. within five years? I'm less certain that giving the Fëanorians their rocks will be a complete solution to that problem but maybe people will be sensible for once and not try to steal them.

Speaking of, if Beren wants to learn magic, it will probably have to be a ritual with multiple casters and I think even your father would have to accept "Destroyed Melkor" as sufficient qualification to marry you...

Ooooooh. I bet he'll want to learn magic, I'll ask.

Beren unsurprisingly favors destroying Melkor.

Well, don't, ah, spread that part around. The fewer people know it's on the table, the less chance the Enemy can hear and figure out a way to defend against it.

Also, you don't get to start with Melkor-destroying magic. Humans are basically blind at night (Well, all the time in comparison to elves and shapeshifters) here are some spells that make light. They're as adequate as anything for expanding your mana capacity and doesn't seem likely to involve serious injury if there's an accident. Once he's got that down, what does Beren want to focus on?

Combat.

That's... pretty broad. Lots of things have combat applications. He could learn to turn into a tiger or enchant his weapons or throw fireballs or teleport or create wards...? Or teleportation, that's useful.

...Actually, the fireballs are the closest to the other thing, so maybe we'll start there.

Fireballs sound great.

Eventually, Malak should probably leave and check in with the Noldor again.

Um. Beren is progressing well but probably won't keep doing so as fast on his own, and leaving a lot of written notes here seems really risky. It's not like they have to, but if he and Lúthien want to come along he could practice with the Noldor who are studying it. They don't have to, but it would be horribly irresponsible of Malak to pick anyone besides the most competent for the ritual, and they would like Beren to be among the most competent because that might solve the vaguely-personal vaguely-political mess that is Thingol's opinions on a suitable dowry.

"And you're sure they won't just murder us because it's convenient?"

"I'm sure. If you think I'm too trusting of them - well, it's not in their self-interest to murder you. Certainly not before the war is done. I kind of have leverage and have demonstrated a willingness to look after your interests."

"Okay."

And all these other traumatized elves - are they going to be... well, not OK, but as OK as they can be on their own?

They actually seem pretty okay. Lots and lots and lots of singing.