Chapter Text
“Do you really think that’s such a good idea?”
“He is a skilled craftsman, one of the finest stoneworkers among the Noldor today. He was trained by Nerdanel and her brother. I am working with him on the restoration of Tirion and cannot say a single word against him. He knows his way around building, we drew up the plans together… And my father cannot do without me right now.”
“You know, grandson, that is not what I meant. Of course he is competent. But can you imagine the uproar this will cause in the city? Not to mention all the bad blood…”
“Forgive me if I am mistaken – but you accepted him when he came to beg forgiveness for his evil deeds. You lifted him from the ground and declared before the whole city that if the Valar had forgiven him, then you too believed his repentance to be sincere, and neither you nor your loyal followers would stand against their wisdom. I was there. Does the king’s word carry no weight in Alqualondë today?”
“Words are one thing. Thoughts and deeds are another, and you are no doubt aware of that. It will be hard for us to look upon him and not remember.”
“Because you need to heal. All of you, and he too. Not every wound can be healed in the Halls of Mandos. And sometimes the medicine must be bitter to be effective. And that is what I had in mind when I came to you with this proposal, my lord.”
“Very well, Ingoldo. Very well. Have it your way. But then neither you nor he should come complaining that I didn’t warn you.”