"I think it's a great idea."

"Yeah. I think she's right to be nervous, though. It's a commitment."

"A very serious one. When you develop the means to go back she can't just abandon a kingdom."

"Yeah. It's--I'm having trouble articulating--wait, I don't need to." Elf telepathy is so great.

Being one of two mages with any real education behind them, in a world that needs them more than home ever did, is a major responsibility, and even in the short time they've already been there--it's easy to get used to being useful, being needed, doing something meaningful. Going back to being just a largely-idle university student--it would be like being a snake trying to cram yourself into a skin you've just shed. And it makes sense that Illia would do this, even though it also makes sense to be nervous about the enormity of the step she's taking.

"Well. We'd be happy to have you stay even after the war."

"I'm not really planning specifics that far in advance, yet. Too many unknowns. But yeah." Worst comes to worst--which she wouldn't expect it to--going home as a fully-fledged Great Mage wouldn't be the same as going home as A Random College Student. Or, y'know, she could just loiter in her sister's kingdom being court magician. Come to think of it, she probably should officially be a citizen the political entity her sister runs, once it meaningfully exists, even if she keeps loitering in assorted Feanorian fortresses.

"It was thoughtful of Fingon to offer."

"He seems pretty great."

"That's taking it a bit far."

She shrugs. "I'm sure he has problems. I know he has problems. But Illia likes him."

"I'm very glad of that."

"...My overall impression of him is that he has a lot of, um, problematic cultural features, he hasn't shucked, but he genuinely tries to do the right thing, and succeeds a lot. Trying counts for a lot, with me."

"...problematic cultural features?"

"Probably not the best way of wording it, I'm mostly thinking of things like that one time he called my sister a child."

"Fair enough."

"...If there's anything you think I ought to be warned about in a similar manner as Finrod but are hesitating to because I like him, I would prefer to be warned."

"Hmm? No, Fingon is good. Rather straightforwardly so. To my knowledge he has not seduced any of his vass- well.

I wouldn't hesitate to tell you if I thought he were doing something wrong or particularly if I thought he was using your sister."

"I'm glad. It seemed unlikely, granted, given what he's helping her do."

"Yeah, it's a good project."

"I'm excited about it."

"Has she picked a title?"

"For herself? I think she's just going with queen, why?"

"Because that's half the fun of ruling something and she should enjoy it more."

"I think she's planning to have fun designing the crown. Any tips for fun titles?"

"The best criteria is to imagine Finrod using it and imagine how you'll feel about that."