Oh. Of course the unidentified king might also be the person with an unidentified kingdom.

If it is, would that make him untrustworthy from our point of view or would it just mean he hates us? We might be able to outright bargain magic in exchange for the magical supplies we need, if it came to that.

Hates us, probably not untrustworthy. Do you think that's worth it? We can also try to elide it a bit longer...

Eliding it is safer if it's him, absolutely. And we can definitely delay until we find out if he's named Elwe.

Delaying for very long is just long-term worse either way, so I'd think saying it early is worth it if he's not the guy who'd instantly class us as evil.

Agreed.

And to Melian and the King who might or might not be Elwe, the first host departed Valinor in boats, but they were caught unawares on the other shore and were not able to send back the ships. Because they'd lit them on fire.

The second host crossed an ice bridge on foot. I don't know how far your maps extend, we may be able to help fill them in, but the Helcaraxe is an...inadvisable way to get across.

I am familiar with it, the Queen says. That shows courage but not wisdom.

Yes. It shows courage and urgency, but neither wisdom nor folly.
The first host has said they were just in time to prevent cities from being overrun and save many lives. The second had as little time.

Also there were angry gods on the side they were leaving.

They indeed arrived in a timely manner. The kingdoms less well-protected than ours were desperately pressed, and we'd lost many lives in efforts to protect them.

And it would be strange if they were willing to take risks to fight in a war but not to get to it.

What risks do you plan to take in the war? What risks are you asking of the local populations you've joined or supplanted?

The host came over thinking the war was unwinnable by force of arms. The expectation was to eventually die fighting to buy time. Risk may have been to optimistic a word.

We haven't asked anything of the local populations, except that they let us settle part of their land. Some individuals did join a Noldor army.

...that's an interesting thing to decide to do. I hope the Valar will intercede before it becomes necessary.

We are all hoping for that.
Your border guard seemed to expect that they would have told you we were coming; could you if you chose contact them and request aid?

I have done so. They are very distracted and gave no answer, though they communicated enough with me that I could infer the Noldor did not seek or obtain their blessing.

That's true. They think on a time scale as much faster than Valar as it is slower than Men, and did not wait for a blessing.

Fëanáro and Ñolofinwë of the Noldor could fairly be called more rash than...I'm sorry, I haven't actually heard either of your Majesties' names.

Melian, she says gravely, in Incarnate tongues.

Elu Thingol, says the King.

Thank you.

Our host acted differently from what you would have, but nothing that wasn't motivated by trying to stop the dying.

'Elu' sounds kind of like 'Elwe.' Does the unfamiliar last name mean we're safe? Or we could just ask, but then we really look bad for not telling him right away.

Could've picked up a title. I think we may have to ask, it'd be a natural question even if we hadn't murdered his family...

Not murder. I'm likely to stay insistent on that one, even though it's based on law that definitely doesn't apply here.

The question might make more sense coming from you. I don't have a non-charged reason to know who's who.

Elu Thingol? We still sing of you, over the sea.

He smiles. And I still remember Finwe fondly. He did not come?

The Enemy killed him.

And to Amber, yup, that's Elwe.

Of course.

I'm sorry to have to be the ones to tell you. There is...more than enough ground to consider opposing him to be urgent.

We need not be persuaded on that front. Who rules the Noldor, then?

His sons Ñolofinwë and Fëanáro.