Dh'oine, [ thranduil mimics, trying it. ] Our little cousins call them shemlen- shem- here. It means quick children, [ and obviously thranduil is very fond of it, though he can't use it publicly anymore. ]

Yes. The unity does mean something. [ he's worked so hard to cultivate it, to bind them together in respect to an eventual when of it being needed. he means it when he says they are all family. ]

That is interesting, [ he says, even and polite, as if it is no great concern. his face falls at the second admission; these elves have no blessed lands to return to, no námo to build them back to perfect health. ]