From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 18:44:13

*has taken the day off from sermonizing, for a change*

*sits out front in the artificial sunlight, sketching the people as they walk by*

*looks up without recognition when you get in the way of his light* *smiles apologetically* Sorry, it's my weekly day of rest. New rule.

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 19:13:52

*laughs* Weekly day of rest? That's tough. I can barely get through my weekly day of work in one piece.

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 19:31:59

*laughs too* One day of work per week? Are you trying to test my sympathies, sir?

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 19:38:52

*shrugs lightly* Just amazed anyone would do more than that. Some work ethic you've got there. You should come work for me. I've got a group of guys who just lay around and comb their hair all the time.

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 19:45:45

*gets to his feet so he can stop craning his neck so very much*

*arches an eyebrow* Oh, yeah? And what is it you do?

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 19:48:58

*conversationally* Oh, I run my own little kingdom. Sort of. My brother seems to think he's in charge of everyone, but he's not going to get his hands on Gondolin anytime soon.

*gives you a strange look* You don't know me, do you? I guess it's been a long time. *offers a hand* Turukáno.

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 19:53:29

*breaks into a big smile at the word "Gondolin"*

*ignores your hand and goes straight for the manly!hugs* Turukáno! How could I have forgotten?? How are you, son?

*happily* You're still an honorary son, you know. Eru knows you earned it after practically eating us out of house and home for all those years.

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 19:57:14

*grins and hugs back*

Good to see you, Uncle Aro! I'm great, actually. But I only eat myself out of house and home these days. People lock up their cupboards when they see me coming. How're you?

*vaguely wonders how sleeping with your daughter is going to affect his 'honorary son' status*

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 20:02:43

Oh, I can't complain. *shrugs* Mine's a pretty quiet life. *a little distractedly* Just trying to help out where I can, you know, not be king, avoid your aunt... The usual.

*has not forgotten that little detail, ohhh no* *what? sleeping together??* Things are good, then? I heard you were just reunited with little Itarillë. Findaráto's been keeping me in the loop, as I'm sure you know.

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 20:12:09

avoid your aunt

*raises his eyebrows* You and Eärwen aren't getting along? *thinks about that for a second* No, I guess you wouldn't be with the ... and all. *looks up at the building behind you* It's a nice little place you've got here, though. Shady neighbors.

*positively beams at Idril's name (♥♥)* Yes! It's great having her back. Everything's just lighter and happier with her around. She's a little angel. I think the next time I'm in town I'll be bringing her. She's very excited to explore and meet her family and such.

I'm sure you know.

Yeah, she mentioned I'd been a... hot topic of conversation. *laughs and opens his arms a bit* Not that I can blame you, I mean, come on. What's better to talk about?

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 20:46:17

It's a nice little place you've got here. Shady neighbors.

*wry smile* Not strictly befitting a Noldo, you mean, huh? Well, it's not much, but it's mine. Eru's, I mean. *laughs suddenly* Actually, I'm thinking maybe he can have it. I may have done all I can with it.

She's a little angel.

*could not be more pleased to hear it* I'd love to see her whenever she comes by. Or when I'm in Gondolin?

What's better to talk about?

*pauses while wondering how to broach the subject* *nonchalantly* And, ah, Elenwë? Have you or Idril seen her?

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 20:52:05

I may have done all I can with it.

Giving up, are you? Doesn't seem much like you. Eh. There are other ways to help, too. Looking to try something new?

When I'm in Gondolin?

Yes! Of course! Finrod mentioned you were wanting to see the city. *jokingly* I guess I can allow tours now that everyone knows where it is. Just let me know when you're free and I'll come get you in my helicopter. Have you tried travel by helicopter? It's great, actually. A little worrying the first time, but the views are amazing. Gondolin from a distance is something to see.

*continues in this vein, steadfastly ignoring your last question*

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 21:01:11

It's not that it's not important to me... *handwaves* Eh. We'll see. *optimistically* Things will work out in the long run.

Helicopter? That sounds...incredible, really. Just name the day. *entertains himself wondering how long after that it will take Thingol to build some completely pointless helipads just outside Menegroth* *grins* I imagine your bird is somewhat more readily available than the more old-school eagle service.

*decides you must have forgotten his last question in your helicopteric excitement*

*because you wouldn't be evading him, now, would you? honorary son of his?*

*perhaps looks mildly disappointed*

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 21:06:37

I'm sure they will.

Great! We'll go as soon as I can get my wife packed off to Hithlum for the weekend arrange it. *grins* Not that there's much to arrange with eagle-less transport, you're right about that. Plus you don't have to feed them at the end of the trip. It's a plus.

*sees your disappointment and feels very small (if that's possible?), especially considering how much he respects you and looks up to you and stop looking at him like that, would you!* *maybe is having a crisis of conscious these days too*

*stands in awkward silence for a moment* *scratches the back of his neck before shoving his hands in his pockets*



Elenwë? Ah. Yeah. I've seen her.

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 21:14:20

*really pretty darn excited* Anything I need to know or to prepare for? What's the weather like up there?

*watches you closely*

*feels a little bad that you obviously feel bad, because even if he disapproves of something a loved one is doing, he'd never want to make them feel bad, because that's just...all-around bad-feeling*

*shakes his head slowly* It's really none of my business. I'll stay out of it. *does not deem it necessary to add "I just don't want to see my daughter hurt"* I'm just glad to see you again.

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 21:19:00

It's a little chilly still right now up north. The mountains block out a good deal of the wind, though. It's colder than here, though, so dressing warm is a good idea. Otherwise you're good. You don't get motion sick, do you?

It's really none of my business. I'll stay out of it.

*looks at you in desperate silence for a moment* I just have no idea what to do.

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 21:23:29

Good to know. Nah, I'll be fine. One develops a strong stomach in my line of work.

I just have no idea what to do.

*frowns* *motions for you to sit down, if you're so inclined* What's the lay of the land right now, Turukáno?

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 21:26:07

*sits down heavily and puts his face in his hands* I don't know. Elenwë and I are... I mean, she's my wife. We have a daughter. That's how things are supposed to work.

*sighs* But Finrod... I just. I love her and I can't stand the idea of hurting her.

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 21:39:00

she's my wife

*sits down next to you* Yes. She is. And she's scary. That means a lot, I know.

*carefully* People do change, though. It's not desirable but it happens. Especially between this world and the last. *thinks silently for a while* Is it just change you're afraid of? And Elenwë? Because, you know, scary?

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 21:42:47

*shakes his head* I don't know. I just don't know. Change, yes, I guess. Plus Idril is happy. I have a duty to my family, don't I? It's not right to completely upset their lives just because I... because I want to be with someone else. I don't want to hurt Elenwë either. *sadly* And there's the problem. Someone needs to be hurt.

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 21:50:09

*sighs* Someone always gets hurt.

*leans back and stretches his legs* I'm not even going to tell you that being perfectly honest is the best way to ensure every party's happiness. Idril worships you, if I remember correctly. She could very well remain happy as a lark and none the wiser if you continued being dishonest with her mother and Findaráto both.

*looks at you with fatherly concern* But some people are bound to be more perceptive to your moods. And there remains the issue of your unhappiness, of course. *rueful smile* No small consideration.

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 21:55:05

Finrod already knows something is wrong. She's sharp, that girl. I just haven't been able to bring myself to tell her. Not that I know how to tell her. Or what to tell her, even. Which isn't helping anything because I feel like I'm lying to her. Who knows what Elenwë knows.

the issue of your unhappiness

*laughs sadly* Who needs happiness when there's all this soul-crushing guilt floating around to keep company?

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 22:06:19

*calmly* It's obvious to me from what you've said that, all other things being equal, you'd be happiest romantically with my daughter. If you choose her, you'll inevitably hurt your wife and daughter. If you choose your wife, you'll hurt yourself and Findaráto.

*sadly* Eventually you will have to make that decision, Turukáno. Whether you and Elenwë and Itarillë can live without knowing, I don't know, but if I know anything about Findaráto, she won't be satisfied forever with not knowing...

She's sharp, that girl.

...and I know you're aware of that, too. I don't envy you your position.

Who needs happiness...?

*reaches over to give you a one-armed hug* I'm sorry you're going through this. You're a good man.

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 22:10:56

you'd be happiest romantically with my daughter

*knows that. oh, does he ever know that*

you will have to make that decision

*nods slowly* I know. You're right. I just... have some thinking to do, I guess.

*glances over at you* Thanks. For listening. I know this doesn't put you in a good spot.

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 22:16:13

*with some regret* Normally I'd recommend asking Eru for counsel, but I doubt He'd be able to tell you anything different in this case, to be honest.

*diplomatically* I love my Findaráto but I love you, too, kid, and don't forget it. I know you'd never intentionally hurt her.

	From: thewise	Date: 04/02/2007 22:19:21

*chuckles a bit* Somehow I doubt Ulmo would have anything to say about it too. There goes that option.

*honestly* I'll try to do what's right for everyone. No less. I promise at least that much.

	From: ingoldo	Date: 04/02/2007 22:26:31

*little smile* Ooh, listen to you now! Name-dropper.

*confidently* I know you will, Turukáno. That's all one can do when there are no easy answers to be had. And that's what I've come to expect of you.