[ he appreciates not having to speak of sauron-- he would answer her questions willingly enough, because he welcomes her curiosity, but sauron and melkor have always been--

evil can be summoned by simply speaking of it. and if thedas cannot handle corypheus, it certainly cannot handle melkor or sauron, and he is loath to allow even the slightest hint of risk with these elves who are so precious and so fragile. ]

There were no Men was I was young. It was [ pause. ] preferable.

[ he finishes with her hair, securing it in place with a twist and knot, and then settles his hands on his knees, leaning back and taking his looking glass, offering it to beleth handle-first. ]

They are your kin too, Beleth. gently, as always. I suspect they have words for the Dalish that you dislike.

[ he will make them get along if he has to put every elf into a giant get-along shirt. ]

And how many break off the engagement?