[ he considers the cup in his hands, nearly considering dumping it into the nearest vase of flowers that sam's set out so that he might remake it with 'a little sugar' but reconsiders and instead presses it into beleth's hands once he's sure the china won't burn her. ]

I ask because it seem so unequal to me, that you would offer yourself and show such willingness to be picked apart and yet not expect he do the same.

[ whomever he was, he certainly wasn't deserving of beleth, considering these behaviors. but the place beleth had put herself in wasn't fair either, acting like this man wouldn't need to accommodate her desires-- as if she didn't see herself as worthy--

he wonders again who this man might be, but that is for beleth's heart only. besides, he doesn't trust himself not to be cold in light of this. still: ]

I could make his life... difficult, if you would like?

[ he smiles, and there's a hint of something more behind it. more elvenking, less thranduil. no violence, of course, but- much fell under that header. ]