From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 13:55:00

*is shown in by Margaret*

Hi, Sir, sorry to disturb but Margaret said you were free? And I just wanted to thank you for the accommodation. It's amazing. *shifts from foot to foot nervously* I'm not as used to being above-ground as I used to be.

	From: skilledhero	Date: 03/16/2007 13:57:10

*looks up* Oh, Cúthalion, come on in. I might just ask your opinion on something, actually.

*smiles vaguely* And, please, don't call me sir. Everyone here calls me Fingon or Findekáno.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 14:02:34

*shrugs a little and smiles* I figured everyone here calls you that because they're related to you.

	From: skilledhero	Date: 03/16/2007 14:05:10

*laughs* Oh no. Margaret calls me Fingon and we're not related at all. *thoughtfully* She calls me a lot of other, rather less savoury names too but there you have it.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 14:10:11

*laughs as well* I'm sure I couldn't picture that.

	From: skilledhero	Date: 03/16/2007 14:24:00

*arches an eyebrow* Come, now. I know you don't think I'm treated with respect around here. *grins* You've met my sister, haven't you? The one who thinks she's in charge?

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 14:33:56

*demurely* I couldn't possibly comment but you're not half as scary as Thingol.

You mentioned something about my opinion on something?

	From: skilledhero	Date: 03/16/2007 14:37:28

Oh, yes. *steeples his fingers together and looks thoughtful* It had crossed my mind to send an ambassador to Delving. Do you think there is any point to that?

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 15:36:55

*cautiously* There might be? But I'm not sure how Thingol would take it.

	From: skilledhero	Date: 03/16/2007 15:40:33

Pretty badly, I should think. I'm sure that he expects it though. If he sends a spy to Hísilómë, surely he must expect me to send one to Delving. *holds up a hand* And no, I don't want to know if you're a spy or not. If you were, you wouldn't tell me and you're rather less obnoxious than some other of the Doriathrim.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 15:53:03

If you're going to send a -- *thinks for a moment* -- delegate to Delving, I would recommend someone who isn't too -- abrasive. I hope that doesn't sound rude but, really, I think Thingol would be more receptive to someone he knows and respects? Like Finrod, perhaps, or Galadriel, if she has returned?

	From: skilledhero	Date: 03/16/2007 15:56:02

*laughs dryly* You do know Artanis, don't you? She makes Írissë seem positively cuddly. You may have a point about Findaráto, though. The fact that she already lives in Delving and seems to like the place is quite promising.

*glances at the clock* How about we grab a bite of lunch before my two o'clock? You can tell me how to break it to Thingol that I'm sending a -- delegate -- as you put it.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 15:59:41

I can't guarantee that Thingol will take too kindly to the idea but Finrod does seem like the safest bet.

*stands up* That would be very nice. I'm so sorry if I've delayed you at all?

	From: skilledhero	Date: 03/16/2007 16:01:47

*shakes his head* Not at all. My sister has informed me that I do need to eat regular meals? So let's call it a working lunch and she can't complain and you won't be delaying me in the slightest.

*opens the door* Field my calls, Margaret, will you please? I'll be back in an hour.

*strolls towards the entrance of the Governmental Buildings*

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/16/2007 16:07:12

*wanders down an adjacent corridor in your building, having come to Hithlum on the convincing? pretext of wanting to meet your Defense Secretary*

*is not all that shocked when the mention of a Defense Secretary earns him a blank look and a referral to your office*

*thinks he hears a familiar voice*

	From: skilledhero	Date: 03/16/2007 16:10:31

*turns the corner, talking amiably to Beleg* *fails to notice you immediately*

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 16:12:22

*is talking quite animatedly in return* *chances to look up and see Túrin*

*stops dead and sucks in a breath, realising in a rush that she might be missing life in Delving a bit*

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/16/2007 16:14:51

*stops in his tracks when he sees you talking to Fingon and looking so unmistakably...happy*

*wonders if it was such a great idea to come here after all*

*considers turning around and flat-out leaving before he realizes he's already caught your eye*

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 16:18:08

*lets out a very girly squeal and starts to walk very fast towards you*

*breaks into a run*

*flings her arms around as soon as she reaches you* Oh, wow. Oh, wow, Túrin!

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/16/2007 16:23:24

Beleg, I-- *nearly has the breath knocked out of him* Oh!

*sweeps you into his arms automatically* *lifts you off the floor and swings you around once*

*laughs delightedly* Now that's a welcome if I ever saw one.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 16:29:44

*plants a great smacking kiss on your cheek* I've missed you!

*laughs too before realising that Fingon is probably rather confused right now*

*wriggles to be put down* Túrin, have you met Fingon?

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/16/2007 16:34:47

*is quite certain he's grinning like an idiot and couldn't care less*

*all filled up with warm* You've missed me? I've been going crazy without you, you bastard.

*reluctantly releases you and turns his glance to Fingon* *clears his throat and offers his hand to shake in an effort at decorum* I haven't. *sincerely* It's an honor to meet the man under whose banner my father served.

	From: skilledhero	Date: 03/16/2007 16:41:14

*shakes your hand warmly* It's an honour to meet you too.

*glances at his watch* I don't mean to be rude but I think I had better get some lunch.

*looks at Beleg, meaningfully* I'll leave you two to your -- reunion. *smiles with some amusement*

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 16:42:39

*totally misses whatever point you're trying to make*

*wraps her hand around Túrin's arm and positively beams at him*

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/16/2007 16:46:08

*manages to mumble some sort of apology for interrupting*

*squeezes your hand* *doesn't stop smiling for a second*

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 16:51:32

Come on, let's go get lunch and you can tell me all the gossip from Delving.

*tugs you along to a small cafe near the Buildings* It's pretty cold here in Hithlum but it's so nice to breathe fresh air all the time. Still, though, it's not home, you know?

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/16/2007 16:55:38

*happily allows you to steer the way* You're going to be disappointed if you think I've been listening to any gossip.

I'd forgotten how beautiful the countryside is up here. And I got a little hung up in Dor-lómin on the way. It's weird to see a mini-mall standing where your father's house used to be though.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 17:01:37

*pulls a face* A mini-mall? I'm sorry to hear that, honey.

*greets the waitress by name on the way to a corner table*

*to you* It's awful, I've barely moved here and I'm already a regular. *rolls her eyes as she sits down* *takes a deep breath, as if to say something* *just falls silent and looks at you*

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/16/2007 17:07:18

*takes a seat across from you* Eh. *dismissively* Doriath is as much home as anywhere, like you said. *smiles* Sort of.

I'm already a regular

*wonders how to interpret that* They keep you busy next door then? What have you been doing? Do you like it here? *concentrates intently on folding a napkin*

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/16/2007 17:50:30

Oh, I'm not sure they're keeping me busy as being unduly kind. Everything's more -- *scrunches up her face as she tries to think* -- relaxed or something? I like it, sure, but I keep having to remind myself that I will be getting home eventually. I'm not sure I'd like it if it was forever.

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/16/2007 23:14:37

*half-smiles* Sounds like a cushy assignment to me. It's bound to be more relaxing than life under Thingol's eye.

*takes a sip from his water glass* *lightly* Don't get too used to it. I'd hate to have to uproot my life to move here. Or it would be a dream come true? I haven't decided yet.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/17/2007 01:47:02

*smiles warmly at you* Hey, there's always room for you on my couch. *reaches across the table and runs her knuckles lightly over your cheek* Althoguh can you imagine Thingol's face if both you and I left Delving? It would not be a happy face.

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/17/2007 14:36:08

*presses the back of your hand briefly*

*rests his chin on his hand and looks back at you*

*a little ruefully* I don't think he needs to worry. I've got plenty of responsibilities keeping me from traipsing off into the wild with you on a lark.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/19/2007 14:27:24

Responsibilities? Oh, this army thing. How is that all going? Is Thingol all gung-ho on the idea?

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/19/2007 14:34:26

*shrugs* It's going. Thingol, of course, is not all that familiar with the concept of these things taking time. It's a lot of work. It's going to be hard to juggle everything once the baby comes.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/19/2007 14:38:21

*frowns, uncertainly* Baby?

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/19/2007 14:44:56

*facepalm* Shit. I hadn't told you.

*paling considerably* Yes, well...Fin's sort of pregnant? so...actually, that reminds me. You'll probably be getting an invitation to my maybe-perhaps-I-don't-know-yet-if-there's-an-engagement engagement party. I'm assured the food will be great. :s

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/19/2007 18:23:06

*feels as though she's been punched in the gut and can't quite figure out why that should be*

Oh. Oh, congratulations. Uhm. Yeah. I guess--? If I can get off work? That might be--

*trails off*

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/19/2007 19:56:54

*thinks you must be cross with him for being so very irresponsible that one lousy time*

*uncomfortably* You don't have to come...I mean any chance to see you would be wonderful but... *forces a smile* I probably won't end up going myself.

*looks at you with open regret* We could sneak out and go hunting.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/19/2007 20:02:00

*can't bring herself to look at you*

*fixes her eyes on the tabletop* I'm pretty sure that you shouldn't sneak out of your own engagement party to go hunting. You're right, Túrin. You have your own responsibilities now.

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/19/2007 22:33:11

*taps the side of his glass with his fingers* Did I mention the part where I'm not sure we're even getting married? I thought it was the right thing to do but then Melian said...

Yeah. Responsibilities.

*doesn't try to meet your eyes* *tiredly* Are you pissed off or something?

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 04:14:56

*shakes her head vaguely* *reaches out for your hand and clasps it gently in both of her considerably smaller hands* No. I'm not pissed off. I'm just a little disappointed. I thought I might have you to myself for a while yet, you know?

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 07:38:49

*lifts his gaze* Hey. Nothing between us has to change, okay? I'll just have to figure out how to be in a couple places at once. About time I remembered some of my Ainu tricks, don't you think?

*rubs his thumb along the edge of your hand*

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 07:46:06

*can't help smiling* Hey, honey. Stop with the puppy-dog eyes. They don't work on me much, remember?

*looks up to meet your gaze*

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 07:50:55

*grins* *companionably* No? Could've fooled me.

*lifts your hand and brushes his lips across your knuckles*

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 07:53:54

*laughs and extends a forefinger to touch your lips*

Stop it. You're exerting special Ainur powers to make me not mad with you, aren't you?

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 07:57:49

*sticks out his tongue at you*

Of course I am. Mad about me, now, that's okay. I suspect your life always was a bit dull without me around.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 08:01:24

If by dull, you mean considerably less dangerous, then you might be right.

*traces her hand down to cup your chin* *lightly* And I've always been mad about you. Why do you think I've put up with you for so long, huh?

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 08:09:31

Bah. Safety is so overrated.

*catches hold of your hand again and places it on the table between his two because it seems safer somehow*

*laughs* Like I said. Boredom.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 08:11:57

*laughs too and idly runs her finger over your wrist* I don't know about you but I'd quite like to get something to eat, what with it being lunchtime and all?

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 08:14:48

*appears scandalized* Next you're going to tell me your handlers feed you more than once a day. What sort of decadent society is this?!

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 08:18:54

I've heard they have these things here, what are they called? Half-days? When you have hours and hours to yourself and you don't have to answer to anyone. *nods most seriously, trying to hide a smile*

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 08:26:08

*shakes his head gravely* Shocking.

*opens his menu and looks it over with a critical eye* This here? *points* 'Chocolate Eternity'? I really cannot condone this. Best you restrain yourself and come back to Doriath with me. Mmm. Chocolate Eternity.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 09:39:08

*laughs* Let's have a compromise. You stay here today for an Eternity and I'll contemplate going back to Doriath as soon as it is polite and politic to do so.

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 09:44:22

You have a distinct advantage seeing as I can't actually refuse you anything.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 09:46:58

*laughs* Now there's a vital piece of information you should never have let slip. You can't refuse me anything, huh?

*leans forward resting her chin on her hand*

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 10:13:00

*tilts his head* Just about.

*lifts an eyebrow* And I trust you not to abuse the privilege. I'm a fool, yes.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 10:50:08

*brightly* You are a fool but so am I. I could abuse this privilege but I won't. I probably won't. More than likely. *smiles teasingly*

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 10:54:44

*perhaps enjoys that smile a bit more than is strictly necessary*

*smirks* I may be putty in your hands, but take care not to push me too far. Mortal.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 11:05:29

Mortal.

*starts to laugh* Oh, oh. I see what you did there. *nudges your foot with hers under the table* I am still the boss of you. Just so you know, Mr Vala.

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 11:15:31

*steps on your toes* *laughing too* Did I not just say I was putty? All this fancy living is turning your brain to putty. Not that there was far to go, really.

*just looks at you for a moment or two* Come home. I miss you.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 11:45:28

Hey, I was always the brains of the operation and you know it. *winks*

*sighs and looks at you for a moment* I need to see this out for a while, at any rate, Túrin. And let's not forget that you'll soon be far too busy with little Túrin running around. *smiles a bit sadly at that*

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 13:22:04

*smiles easily* Yeah, you were, huh?

*shrugs* I know that too. But I had to try, right? I'll never be too busy for you. I meant what I said.

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/20/2007 13:48:28

*smiles more brightly* I appreciate it, honey.

Now -- *looks at her menu* -- about that Eternity?

	From: gorthol	Date: 03/20/2007 13:52:56

Shall we share? *matter-of-factly* One Eternity ought to be enough, don't you think?

	From: belthronding	Date: 03/21/2007 06:12:41

I should think so. I wouldn't like to be greedy about it.