[ his mood breaks with a huff of laughter- she knows him well enough to imagine his expression, that wry amusement writ behind some measure of stoicism. but he is in hightown behind closed doors, and gwen knows his mind and beleth ought to have been able to kindle to it by now. ]

Elbereth's stars, Beleth, no. I do not give a whit for the Inquisition. Keep yourself and yours safe, tell me what you find. Chiefest among my worries is that he sees, perhaps, someone strike an elf, and reacts accordingly. Who would the shemlen blame?

[ he plays the long game. the slow game. maedhros and his friend having no context to put thedas in perspective could lead to ruin. ]

You needn't protect me, little one. I will speak with him when he comes here, see if we cannot reach an accord. Though we were not allies in Arda, we may yet come to an agreement here. But I must know how best to approach him, and for that I will need to know the state he is in.